NEW GLASGOW – Ritva Vanamo “Rita” Knoester, 81, Maritime Odd Fellows’ Home, Pictou, formerly of New Glasgow, passed away peacefully, Monday, August 2, 2021 in the Home. Born in Pielavesi, Finland, she was a daughter of the late Unto and Martta (Rantonen) Happonen. The oldest of eight children, she immigrated to Thunder Bay, Ont. In 1956 with her family. Her parents and siblings, except for her sister, Raili, moved back to Finland eight years later. Rita and her sister remained in Canada for the rest of their lives. While living in Thunder Bay, she met and married, Rudy Knoester. When Rudy was hired by the former Scott Paper, they moved to New Glasgow in 1967, where they raised their sons, Eric and Harry. Rita enjoyed crafts, art, sewing, knitting, music, dancing, curling, reading and keeping up on current events through television. She greatly enjoyed volunteering at the IODE Thrift Shop and Aberdeen Hospital Gift Shop. Surviving are his sons, Eric (Donna) Knoester and their children, Hannah and Olivia, Victoria, B.C.; Harry (Charlene) Knoester, New Glasgow; sisters, Pirjo (Seppo) Kettunen, Kaisa (Robin) Bailey, Tarja (Martti) Toivanen, and their families, Finland; sisters-in-law, Ritva Happonen and family, Finland; Joanne Toteda and family, and Louise (Dennis) Trevisanutto and family, Thunder Bay; brothers-in-law, Yrjo Turunen and family, Campbell River, B.C.; Borje Brewitz and family and her late brother, Jussi’s family, Sweden. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Rudy; brothers, Jarmo and Jussi Happonen; sisters, Raili Turunen and Merja Brewitz; brother-in-law, Louis Toteda; nephews, Robert and Larry Toteda, and Joseph Trevisanutto. A public graveside service will be held 4 p.m. Saturday, August 7th in Abercrombie Cemetery with Rev. Glen Matheson officiating. Funeral service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/pictoucountylive. The Knoester family wish to thank, Dr. Ed Skinner, the late Dr. John Williston, Dr. Kaiprath, Dr. Burrill, Dr. MacLaughlin, Dr. Gregor MacLean, Aberdeen Hospital 5th floor staff and the Maritime Odd Fellows Home staff for the care provided throughout the years and during her recent illness. Family flowers only. Donations may be made in Rita’s memory to the Maritime Odd Fellows Home, Pictou , Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia or any charity of choice. (Please click to donate on line.) To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Ritva Vanamo Knoester, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.