I met the Knapp family in the mid 1970’s shortly after I moved to NJ with my ex-husband and our daughter; leaving our family and friends on Long Island in NY. Rita’s brother, Paul, and their mother were our first friends, soon to become my best friends and my 2nd family after my divorce. As I’ve learned over the years, it takes more than blood to be “family”. It wasn’t long before I was included in all the Knapp family gatherings. I will cherish these memories forever. Sitting around the table, dishes piled with food, football game on TV, all the kids laughing….Those were the days. There was always more than enough to add an extra plate or two for frequent unexpected guests.
l always admired Rita. In addition to raising four children, she worked as a nurse full time and took classes to obtain her master’s degree. John did most of the cooking while relentlessly teasing each and every person in the room.. Rita entertained the group with elaborate stories while we laughed until we cried. I swear she could have been a standup comedian. But I think if you asked her, she’d say that her proudest achievement was her children.
John and Rita purchased a blueberry farm where John took pride In planting a variety of crops, mostly vegetables.Rita would spend her spare time canning. They turned their garage into a large pantry which was well stocked with enough to keep them going throughout the winter. I particularly loved pickled cauliflower and the tomatoes were outstanding!
We celebrated countless Christmas’s, welcomed in many New Years, shared happy occasions such as weddings and births, and we also grieved together as a family over the years.
One thing that remained constant was Amy’s devotion to her parents and her will to keep a promise she made many years ago. When it became impossible for her parents to care for each other themselves, Amy and her husband, Chris, welcomed them into their home. Amy made it her mission to provide her parents with the utmost quality of care. She successfully cared for them both and ensured that they were safe, comfortable and surrounded by love during their last years on this planet.
Rita missed John terribly as he passed first. He certainly left a void that couldn’t be filled. Rita began to decline gradually after that, but she remained strong as long as she could, telling stories to all who would listen. I will miss hearing her joyous laugh her cheerful personality and her genuine smile whenever I entered her room. Rita Knapp was one of the smartest, kindest, most generous human beings I have ever met.
May her memory be a blessing for all her family and friends.
