Obituary: Rita Motivans, 93, Of Meriden

MERIDEN, CT — (From Meriden Memorial Funeral Home): Rita Johanna Motivans passed away on July 31, 2023 at age 93 in Meriden. She was born May 9, 1930 in Germany to Franz and Marie (Mierzwa) Kandziora. She attended nursing school and it was in her capacity as a nurse that she met the man who was to be her husband of 70 years, Boleslavs (“Ben”) Motivans.

They emigrated to the United States in December of 1953. Rita worked many years at Meriden Hospital on the night shift in the nursery, delivering and caring for newborns.

She later held several jobs in retail and factory work. In her later years she enjoyed being a homemaker and pursuing her hobbies. She enjoyed several types of needlework, including knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and lace making. She shared this enthusiasm with others by teaching these skills and doing charity projects.

Annual trips to various knitting conventions were a source of great pleasure where she took classes and added to her yarn stash.

Rita was also an avid reader and was a frequent visitor to the local library as well as used book sales. Ben and Rita shared many vacation trips, sometimes flying, but more often driving or taking escorted bus tours with friends. Rita also shared a love of gardening with her husband. The division of labor was: Ben grew the flowers, Rita cut them and brought them in the house. She did have a sunporch filled with African violets which she tended to.

Her greatest joy was keeping up with the lives and adventures of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rita leaves behind her two children: son Robert Motivans (wife Cheryl Bochet) and daughter Silvia Flynn (husband Thomas) formerly of Durham Ct, now residing in Pawleys Island SC. She also leaves two grandsons: Tyler Flynn (wife Kerri) of Myrtle Beach, SC and LT. Spencer Flynn (wife Ainsley) of Norfolk, VA. A source of enormous joy for Rita were her three great grandchildren, Shaymus and Kelsey Flynn in Myrtle Beach and Archer Flynn in Norfolk VA.

Special thanks to the Cromwell Knit Club for all the years she enjoyed their companionship, friendship and inspiration.

Thanks also to the caregivers at Miller Memorial Community and Constellation Hospice for the care that made her last days pass peacefully. Though we are saddened by the loss of Oma, the family matriarch, we know that Opa is now proudly walking with her through his perfect garden.

Meriden Memorial (Stempien) Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., is in charge of the private arrangements.

For online condolences, visit: www.meridenmemorialfh.com.