Rahlys Jane McCain

Rahlys Jane McCain, 87, passed very peacefully on May 26, 2015 in Fort Collins, CO. Rahlys Jane McCain was born on June 24, 1927. She grew up in tiny Powder River, Wyoming with her parents, Abram and Marvel Hitt; older brother John Hitt (deceased) and younger brother Abram Hitt. She attended the Chicago Conservatory of the Arts where she earned her Masters degree in Music. She was a beautiful concert pianist. Rahlys’ Steinway Grand Piano remains with the family; her parents surprised her with this when she was a young child. Rahlys taught piano lessons to pretty much every kid in the neighborhood from the 1960’s through 1977. She could sit down and play better than most right up until she passed. Rahlys met the love of her life, Robert C. McCain and they married in 1955. Daughters Rebecca and Ginny came along in 1957 and 1961. Robert (Bob) was a geological engineer and took this family to live in South America for 5 ½ years. Rahlys enjoyed this time to tour Brazil and spend relaxing days at the beach with her two young daughters. Before they left to return to the United States they took a couple months to tour Europe. Rahlys bought dolls and mementos from every spot they visited. All of those treasures remain with the family. Bob decided his geological travels were taking too much time away from his family, so he went back to school (DU) and earned his Doctorate in Law. He was then a practicing attorney close to home, but still enjoyed his geological adventures! After the traveling, we settled down in Wheat Ridge, CO, where Rahlys and Bob lived in that same home from 1963 – 2004. Family vacations consisted of loading up the station wagon most every weekend in the summer to camp and fish. For special vacations, Bob would lease a 4 person Cessna and we flew to Mexico, the Black Hills of South Dakota, and family reunions. Bob was the pilot and Rahlys the navigator. Once we landed on a pot-holed airstrip with chickens and children running along the side (in Mexico). Turns out it was an abandoned old airstrip, oops. Rahlys still remained our navigator. Summer of 1977 (age 50) Rahlys was not feeling well, which was highly unusual. It turned out to be a large benign brain tumor. They were able to remove it, but the complications were numerous. After months of therapy she made a miraculous recovery though she was left with some brain damage. She went from comatose to walking, talking, playing the piano, and going for bike rides! Her attitude was always incredible. Ask her how she was feeling and her answer would be “I feel great!” every time. Sadly, we lost Bob in 2004, Becky in 2012 and grandson Sean Jordan in 1988. Rahlys moved to independent living in 2004, later moving to Fort Collins to be closer to family. She enjoyed numerous occasions with her daughters Becky Bryden (husband Rob), Ginny Jernigan (husband Scott), grandchildren Jessica Barrows, Dillon Barrows (wife Sue), Nicholas Jordan and Tara Jordan, and her great grandchildren Jessica’s son Giovanni Barrows, Dillon and Sue’s children Dillon Jr. and Audrey. She had a wonderful time just shortly before she passed attending the baby shower for her 4th great grandchild, Tara’s daughter due June 27. Since she chose to go on May 26, Tara’s birthday, we are predicting this 4th great grandchild may be born on June 24, Rahlys’ birthday. Of note: When Rahlys was close and not speaking more than a word here or there, we encouraged her to go on to be with Bob, and she suddenly spoke very clearly “He looks very good”

Rahlys Jane McCain

June 24, 1927 - May 26, 2015