Rita Knox

1929 - 2025

WEST BURLINGTON -Rita Mahoney Knox, 96, passed away Nov. 10, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington. She was born on Aug. 29, 1929, in Springfield, Illinois, to Esther Mercedes Connor Mahoney and Edward Joseph Mahoney. On Nov. 11, 1950, she married Robert B. Knox in Springfield, and together they had five children, Robert, William, Brenda, Laura and Mary.

A small memorial gathering will be held at the Emiquon Wildlife preserve, near Havana, Illinois, in the spring, when the wildflowers are in bloom below Goofy Ridge.

Rita was part of "The Greatest Generation," enduring childhood struggles during the Great Depression, when her family had to move to her grandfather's duck hunting cabin along the Illinois River. She has said that those were the best times of her life. Her brothers, Ed Jr. and George served in the Navy and Air Force, respectively, during World War II. Rita served in the Civil Air Patrol, flying in open cockpit planes around Springfield, watching for suspicious convoys. She later pursued a college degree, and worked at Sheller-Globe in Keokuk.

Rita was a fierce defender of women's rights, and loved to read, especially about history. She loved literature, classical music, opera, and antiques. She loved to paint, study art and art history. She had a beautiful singing voice.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Mary Knox of West Branch, Laura Knox of Keokuk, Brenda Knox, of Donnellson, and grandchildren, Joel and Danny Washburn, Jason Knox, Max and Lydia Crowe, Rachel Hall, Bobi, (Jared) Knox, and Brian Matthess. She had 10 great- grandchildren. Her surviving nieces, nephews, and their families will also remember her fondly, and with great respect. She was preceded in death by her parents, her ex-husband, Robert, her siblings, Rosemary, Ed Jr., and George, and her sons, Bob and Bill.

If you wish to honor her in a memorial, it was her hope that you would give to your favorite public library. Or, you may donate through the Nature Conservancy for the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/emiquon/, near Havana, Ill.

DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home in Keokuk is in charge of the arrangements for Rita.