Rita Monica (Parks) Salminen

Rita Monica Salminen (nee Parks)

May 2, 1933 - Apr 24, 2026

In loving memory of Rita Monica Salminen (née Parks), who passed away peacefully on April 24, 2026, at the age of 92 years.

Rita will be deeply missed by her loving sons, Leslie Salminen (Yvanca) and Neil Salminen. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Marja Salminen MacEacheron (Ryan) and Aili Salminen Banete (Adrian), and a cherished great-grandmother to Arlo MacEacheron. She is also survived by her brother, Robin Parks.

Rita was predeceased by her beloved husband, Elmer P. Salminen; her parents, John J. F. Parks and M. A. Eunice Parks (née Dagg); and her siblings, Jerry Parks (Muench), Myrna Parks (Young), Fred Parks, Herman Parks, and Diane Parks (McDonald).

Born during the Great Depression, Rita grew up with six brothers and sisters. Life was very difficult; many families suffering severe hardships and simply struggling to survive. The family moved many times, Sudbury to Timmins and back as well as within Sudbury always in pursuit of work. The outbreak of World War II in 1941 created further stress as men left to fight overseas – her father included. During this time, she moved to Ottawa as a young girl growing up with her grandparents and attending public school. It was during this time at a very young age that she learned from her grandmother how to knit which became a lifelong passion.

Another move back to Sudbury in 1945 where she attended Landsdowne Public School and later College Street Public school to complete her elementary schooling. She never completed high school; like other families at the time, getting a job and supporting the family income was the priority and so her working career began at age 16! Rita held jobs in Sudbury at Burgess Bakery, Canada Bread Company, Bell Telephone Exchange and F.W. Woolworth. It was at Woolworth’s that she met lifelong friends and started attending dances at the Mine Mill Hall where she ultimately met and married Elmer, her husband of 60 years.

Together they built a home on the Vermillion River in Whitefish and began a life together out in the countryside starting a family in 1963. After spending her difficult childhood and teenage years in the city, her life was now filled with more joy and fulfillment. She started a new path; full time mom with two sons, local social functions through Penage Womans Institute, and was a founding member in the Penage Road Community Centre, all with strong family ties and new roots.

Perhaps the greatest joy in her life was watching her family grow up and prosper. Watching, guiding, and participating in their growth and eventually the lives of their families. She was thrilled to be a part of the birth, growth, and marriages of her two granddaughters and took keen interest and enormous pride in their success. She absolutely relished in supplying hand-knit woolen mitts, scarves, sweaters, and hats. There was no baking she could not accomplish, and her blueberry and rhubarb pies were legendary. And all through these years, offering support, wisdom, and spiritual guidance which had become such an important part of her daily routine. She possessed enormous heart and compassion for family, friends, and even relatively unknown neighbors or strangers. Giving was always at the center of her life.

She had one of her last wishes granted to her with the arrival of and the holding/hugging of her very first great grandchild.

Her final years were spent struggling with heart related illness but even through this extended period she made a significant impact on the people she engaged with or who cared for her. From neighbors at the Hyland Dr apartments to residents and staff at Amberwood Suites in Sudbury and finally the staff and caregivers at St Josephs Manor in Elliot Lake. All were touched by her kindness, generosity, and giving.

The family wishes to sincerely thank all the Long-Term Care staff at St Josephs for their exceptional care and commitment to Rita in the time she spent with them and in particular her final few hours. As per her final wish, she has gone home….

Cremation services are provided by Simple Wishes of the North, Sudbury, and Crystal Crematorium.

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