March 24, 1939 – December 17, 2024

Born March 24, 1939 in Massachusetts to Amy Catherine Nasif and Benjamin Michael Knowles. She passed peacefully surrounded by her family on December 17, 2024 in Escondido California. Rita gave back to her community as an LPN for 20 years at Grossmont Hospital, and helped raise her nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Richard Paul, and is survived by her sister Virginia, her children Michael, Donna, Keith and Mary, her grandson Michael Paul, her great grandchildren, and countless other friends and relatives, and her dog Buddy. Rita loved spending time with her family, playing slots at her local casino, and watching the turtles swim in the bay on Hawaii Island.

Services will be held Monday, January 6 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel at Silver Lining Cremations and Burial located at 421 S. Andreasen Drive, Escondido, CA 92029. All questions, flowers and in kind donations can be directed to the funeral home or to (619) 846-9400.