Ritva Matikainen

Ritva Anneli Matikainen (Hakkarainen), age 82 of Thunder Bay, ON passed away on April 30, 2021.

Born February 3, 1939 in Suojarvi, Finland, her family evacuated their hometown during the war and settled in Lappeenranta, where she attended school and met Jaakko Matikainen. They were married in 1961, had 3 children in Finland then decided to pursue a new life in Canada. In February 1967 they arrived in Thunder Bay, Ontario. A year later, they moved to Island Lake, a sawmill village near Chapleau ON. Shortly after, a 4th child was born. There they enjoyed a fulfilling life with the other recent Finnish immigrants, living by the lake in the forest. After the sawmill closed in 1982, they moved back to Thunder Bay. Ritva worked at Kangas Sauna for many years, and developed many lasting friendships in Thunder Bay.

Ritva expressed her creativity through her love of painting, knitting, baking and serving delicious meals to her family and especially to her 7 grandchildren.

Ritva is loved and greatly missed. She is survived by her husband Jaakko and 4 children, son Olli (Cindy), daughter Irene Frenette (Dan), son Ari (Jana) and son Jani (Vicki); grandchildren Chelsea, Jacob (Erin), Mathew (Amanda), Anna, Kirsi, Kari and Hanna, and 2 great-grandchildren Stevie and Madison.

She is also survived by her sister Mirja Wahser (Richard) in Germany, nieces Larissa and Iiris and cousins in Finland. Predeceased by her parents Sulo Hakkarainen and Aili (Teitto), sister Marja and brother Lauri.

According to her wishes, Ritva will be cremated, and due to COVID, a private service to follow. Ritva's family would like to thank Dr. Brown, Dr. King and all the kind and caring staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.

Should friends so desire, donations may be made to the Hilldale Lutheran Church or the Thunder Bay Northern Cardiac Fund. Condolences may be offered at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca