Skaidrite Astrid Rita Kivikink

SKAIDRITE ASTRID RITA KIVIKINK (nee Sniker) February 25, 1931 - January 28, 2024. Rita passed away suddenly at Scarborough Centenary Hospital at the age of 92 after a brief illness. She had been living at the Ehatare Retirement Home for the last few years as navigating her home of 50 years in Scarborough became increasingly difficult. She was married to Feliks (predeceased) for 63 years and survived by her son Ronald (Irene). She was grandmother to Paul (Belinda) and Kristin (predeceased) and great grandmother to Milena and Soren. Born on a small farm in Laura, Estonia (now controlled by Russia) she came to love her natural environment and continued that love throughout her life. As the events of WWII unfolded in the region her mother put her on a horse drawn cart to flee the invading Russians never to see her again. Most of her time during the war was spent in Germany where she went to school. Her aptitude for languages led to her being able to speak not only her native Estonian but also Russian, German Latvian and English. After the war she settled in Wolverhampton England where many Estonians went for work and the start of a new post war life. There were many parties and celebrations amongst the Estonians and she met her husband to be at a dance on her birthday. They soon married, started a family and immigrated to Canada in 1951, having to borrow money from friends already working in Canada, to make the journey. Settling in Toronto, she worked in a factory in downtown Toronto that made embroidered and lace cloth. This nurtured her passion for sewing at home and over time all closets in the house were filled with exquisitely made clothes for herself and her husband. She also had an amazing ability to create and maintain magnificent gardens at her home. She worked tirelessly from morning until night making sure every flower, shrub and tree was in its ‘Rita’ designated location and perfectly manicured. Her gardening talent and hard work was recognized in 2005 when she was awarded the Scarborough Trillium award for best neighbourhood garden. She and her husband loved camping at Six Mile Lake, enjoyed wonderful times with many friends at their cottages north of Toronto, drove regularly to New York City to party with family and friends, xc skied hundreds of kms each winter, hiked with the West Rouge Community Association, travelled the world and hosted parties and gatherings as often as possible. From humble beginnings and a tumultuous childhood, she not only survived but built a beautiful and rewarding life in Canada. She will be sadly missed by her family, friends and West Rouge neighbours. The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at the Ehatare Retirement Home for their caring and support of Rita over the past few years.

A Private Family Moment will be help at the Giffen-Mack Funeral Home Scarborough from 3:00 - 4:30 pm on Thursday February 1st, 2024.