Rochester, NY: March 5, 1933 – February 24, 2020
Riki was a caring sister, wife, and loving mother to her 3 children: Christian (Julie), Simone (Dirk) & Andre (Ragni), grandmother of 6 and great grandmother of 3. She emigrated from the Netherlands in the 1950s to Rochester NY, where she met her husband, Frank. Riki was extremely devoted to her family in Rochester and back home in Holland. She was a good friend, a dedicated business partner and was loved by everyone she met.
Riki was born March 5, 1933 to Adrianus and Goverdina Rutten in Eindhoven, Netherlands. One of three children, she had an older brother Andre and a younger sister Dinah who still lives in the Netherlands. Riki lived with her family in occupied Holland during WWII. After the war she decided to move to the United States in 1955 where she worked as a live-in nanny for several years. During this time, she met Frank Blaakman, also an immigrant from Eindhoven, who moved to Rochester with his family in 1949. They fell in love and were married for 60 wonderful years.
Riki had a special gift and passion for sewing. She self-taught herself how to sew when she was 9 years old. When her children were teenagers, Riki decided to work outside of the home as a seamstress at a small interior window treatment provider. After several years, she decided to start her own business, Draperies by Riki. She was a master in her craft and her exceptional window treatments were requested and revered by many in the community.
Riki was an exceptional homemaker. She made everything from scratch, whether it was baking fresh bread, canning fruits and vegetables, or making her own candles. She enjoyed all types of music but had a special love for classical music.
We will miss Riki dearly and she will always hold a special place in our hearts.
As per her request, services will be kept private and for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her life can make a tribute gift in her name directly to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/rochesterny/donate.
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