NEW HAMPTON --- Our beloved Rita Mae Holopainen ("Rita") passed away surrounded by friends and family on July 10, 2026, at the age of 86. Rita was born in Sandwich, NH on January 10, 1940, to her parents Erma (Stokes) and Wilfred Sturgeon. She had 5 siblings and spent most of her life in New Hampshire. She graduated from Quimby School in Sandwich, NH and attended some business classes before entering the workforce. In addition to raising her family, Rita had a career in local banking from which she retired at the age of 70.

Rita was married to her husband, Robert (Bob) Holopainen, for 56 years living the "simple life" before being widowed in 2015. In 2016, she moved in with her daughter Jennifer; son-in-law Jim; and granddaughter Kaitlin, where she lived the last 10 years of her life.

In her retirement years, Rita enjoyed traveling to many places, including Singapore to visit friends of her daughter Jennifer; going to Ogunquit Beach, Maine, to walk the Marginal Way; going to Disney World and attending Red Sox games with many family and friends. She also attended countless family holiday events, weddings, birthday parties, graduations, and other milestone events.

Rita was cherished by so many and impacted every single person she encountered. She selflessly gave every bit of herself to bring kindness and joy to others, including opening her home to many of her daughters' friends including a couple foreign exchange students from Finland and Denmark. Rita enjoyed her family most of all. She called them her "world" and tried to bring them joy in the smallest but most meaningful ways including baking delicious, braided coffee bread; sending cards for birthdays and anniversaries, sewing, gardening or just spending quality time with those she held dear to her heart. She truly was the light in the lives of so many including her family, community, and anyone who needed a safe place to feel loved or accepted. Rita's fighting spirit, strong faith in God and positivity resonated through every phase of her life, helping her and those around her see the silver lining in every situation.

Rita is survived by her brother Edward Sturgeon, 2 daughters: Louanne (Holopainen) Fullerton & Jennifer (Holopainen) Doig, 4 grandchildren: Dwayne Fullerton, Benjamin Fullerton, Kaitlin Doig, and Kevin Fullerton, and 5 great-grandchildren: Samuel Fullerton, William Fullerton, Piper Fullerton, Amelia Fullerton, and Jaxson Fullerton, as well as many cousins, nieces, & nephews. She is predeceased by her parents: Wilfred and Erma Sturgeon; siblings: Kenneth Sturgeon, Ronald Sturgeon, Dorothy Davis, and Fred Sturgeon; Husband: Robert Holopainen; and Granddaughter: Tammy Fullerton

A graveside memorial service will be held on August 15, 2026, at 10 am at Moultonborough Neck Cemetery, Schoolhouse Road, Moultonborough, NH 03256. There will be a celebration of life to follow the services at the Bob House Reel N' Tavern (520 Whittier Hwy, Moultonborough, NH 03254), where all are welcome!

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to your local visiting nurse associations including Granite VNA and Quality Care Home Health and Hospice. These organizations were vital in supporting Rita's care up until the time of her passing.