Rita Gustava (Rosenberg) Riihimaki of West Hartford, CT, and formerly of Quincy, MA, passed to the arms of her Savior on Sunday, December 8, 2013. She was born on April 14, 1915 in Paris Hill, ME to Arvid and Elizabeth Rosenberg. On September 29,1940, she married Arthur Riihimaki, who died in January 1990. Her siblings, JoAnn Deskins, Ida Rosenberg, Oiva (Jack) Rosenberg, and Peter Rosenberg died before her. She leaves two sisters; Anne Mellen of North Reading, MA and Helmi Hamilton of Seattle, WA; three sons and their wives: Arthur and Barbara Riihimaki of West Hartford, CT, George and Gerrie Riihimaki of Eugene, OR, and Paul and June Riihimaki of Gold Canyon, AZ; six grandchildren and their spouses: David and Meghan Riihimaki of Corinth, NY, Stephen and Catherine Riihimaki of Vienna, VA, Catherine Riihimaki and Kira Lawrence of Annandale, NJ, Lynn and Bryan Kane of Eugene, OR, Laura Riihimaki of Richland, WA, and Lisa and Devin Ryan of Portland, OR; and nine great-grandchildren: Dylan, Grace, Lauren, and Quinn Riihimaki, Anna and Lila Riihimaki, Kai Riihimaki Lawrence, and Lydia and Benjamin Kane.
Rita was a faithful member of West Quincy Congregational Church, Quincy, MA, for most of her life and attended Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, CT when she moved to Connecticut. She practiced hospitality whenever she could as a member of the Ladies Aid at the church and in her home where all were welcome. She also helped at Camp Clear, South Carver, MA, during many summers as a staff member and volunteer. She was skilled in knitting and crocheting among other handcrafts, and enjoyed playing games, doing crossword puzzles, and in her later years, painting. She loved visiting and being visited by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her life was a witness of her faith and love for Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior exhibited by the way she cared for others and the time she spent daily with Him. She also sang of her beliefs with her beautiful soprano voice and guitar.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family. A memorial service will be held later. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06107 or to Camp Clear, PO Box 202, South Carver, MA 02366.