1926 – 2003

FARMINGTON – Rita Knockwood DeRaps, a noted artist of regional Native American Indian fame, has passed over after a short struggle with cancer on Sept. 7, at the Sandy River Facility.

Mrs. DeRaps was born in 1926, on the Indian Brook Reserve, Shubenacadie, NS, Canada, the daughter of Matilda Sach and Frank Thomas. At three years of age she was adopted by her Aunt Marie and Uncle Joseph Knockwood of Kingfield. She presented her art and crafts at trade shows, powwow’s, one woman presentations, and local art fairs.

Mrs. DeRaps was the recipient of many awards and blue ribbons including several best of show. She was an elder advisor to the Four Winds Foundation, an international indigenous peoples foundation, an elder and council member of the Maine MikMaq Tribe, she was a board member of the Thunder on The Beach Foundation, and a founding director of the Thunder on The Beach Corporation, a non-profit indigenous peoples business for the raising of scholarship funds.

She was also an advisor to world renown artist Melody Lightfeather. She made many outstanding contributions as an elder and her cultural wisdom was appreciated at many events.

Mrs. DeRaps was a prodigious artist. Her entire works over the years was collected and prized by people purchasing well in advance of public display. She corresponded regularly with several friends and other artists and was renown for her exceptional penmanship. She strenuously preferred the fountain pen to more conventional post.

Mrs. DeRaps was notorious for her wit, eloquence and humor and way with words. In her capacity as intellectual challenge, she presented her culture with stories. Mrs. DeRaps enriched the children at many a powwow and school with oral history.

Mrs. DeRaps, her husband and children had a fondness for exploring many state and national parks, fairs, and carnival events in their camper. They spent many summers on Cape Cod in Mass.

Hobbies included sewing, fishing, hunting, and travel.

Mrs. DeRaps is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Joseph Phillip DeRaps of Rangeley; by four daughters, Theresa Hoover, Vanceborough, N.C., Carmen Hooke, Strong, Yvonne Graves, Ancramdale, N.Y., Jacqueline Nerney, Strong; one son, Michael DeRaps, Rangeley; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchlidren.

She was predeceased by daughter, Michelle Pinkham; an infant son, Joseph Earl; and grandson, Steven Hooke.

At Mrs. DeRaps passage, let us recall her kindness, her giving spirit, and her humor. She will be missed by all.