Vista Lee McIntosh (McKnight) passed away on December 28, 2023. She was born on September 8, 1929 in Richmond, Calif. where her parents, Lloyd and Vista McKnight, ran a lunch counter and her father was a carpenter in Gilroy.

With the help of Lloyd’s sister, Maude, and a loan from Moon Lee of Weaverville they purchased 500 acres in Burnt Ranch. In payment to Moon Lee, Lloyd was to provide a weekly delivery of hogs to Moon Lee’s market. This was in the early 1930s, so Vista was very young when they moved to Burnt Ranch. Her mother soon became the postmistress and served for over 50 years. Vista and her siblings Elnora and Thomas attended Burnt Ranch School and then went to Weaverville for high school.

At a community dance in 1947, she met Bruce McIntosh of Willow Creek. They were married in 1948 and were blessed with four sons: Bruce, Frasier, Loren and Clayton. Vista’s life centered around her children: their schools, Cub Scouts, Webelos, Boy Scouts and PTA. She served on the local election board for 40-plus years. She did while canning and preserving an enormous supply of produce from the family farm (McIntosh Farm). In the summers, she always found time to take her children and up to 20 other young family members to the “farm swimming hole” on the Trinity River.

Vista and her husband Bruce spent every winter in their RV traveling the US and Canada and staying in Arizona or Mexico. Her grandchildren were the greatest delight in her life and she was also very special to them! She and her husband were diligent gardeners and grew so many beautiful roses that she started a business when in her 70s selling them at the Arcata Farmers Market (Vista’s Roses). Vista made friends easily, was well-liked and respected at the market and in her community on the river. Vista and Bruce were married for over 71 years! She was the true matriarch of her family and her passing has changed the fabric of the entire family.

Preceded in death by her beloved son, Frasier McIntosh she leaves behind her sons Bruce (Debby); Loren (Aida); Clayton (Danielle); and daughter-in-law Theresa McIntosh. Her grandchildren: Tom, Brandon, Duncan, Owen, Denise, Tina, Derek, Loreesa, Gwenn, Kyle, Jaril, Kate and Tia. She has 19 great-grandchildren. She will be missed!

Her ashes will be spread on the family farm in Willow Creek at a later date.

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