Rita Heykoop

Rita Heykoop, age 84 of Pequannock, passed Tuesday, March 19, 2019 in the comfort of her own home with family by her side. To family and friends Rita was affectionately known as “Peep.”

Rita was born in Paterson, NJ, the youngest of three children. She spent her youth in Wayne, NJ and graduated from high school in Wayne. She was a top notch bowler and won the girls high school bowling team championship.  Additionally, she played basketball and hockey recreationally and loved ice skating.  

Rita met the love of her life, Robert Heykoop. After they married they made their first home in Connecticut where Bob served in the Navy.  There they had their first child, a daughter, Linda.  When Bob completed his service they moved back to NJ. They decided to build a home in Pompton Plains on the property of the family tree nursery where Bob worked.  They built their home with the help of friends and family. Here, they had their second child, Robert Jr.  

With their home on the property of the tree nursery it was easy for Rita to help with the sale of trees, shrubs, and fresh vegetables. She was always happy to be out watering the forsythia or weighing and selling tomatoes! They made a great team.

Rita and Bob had a wonderful life together and they enjoyed a loving marriage of just over 61 years. For several years they enjoyed horse racing adventures with their horse “Drummer’s Best.”  In later years, Rita and Bob were excited to become grandparents to three precious girls – Rhonda, Kelly, and Kaitlyn. Later, they were blessed to become great-grandparents to Lily, Hannah, and Laila. All these girls enjoyed many days of blueberry pancakes at the kitchen table with “Peep” and Pop, and that same kitchen table served as the perfect platform for family games of all kinds.  

Rita will be lovingly remembered for her contagious smile, warm heart, and creating a home that was open to all.  Peep was known for sending supportive greeting cards for events both small and large just to let you know you were loved and she was thinking about you. She loved it when the family was together for holidays, special occasions or gathered together for a theme party she was hosting. Annual trips to the Jersey Shore in Seaside with the family, playing family games, and picnics were highlights for all.  Rita’s potato salad, baked beans and iced tea were always on the menu!  Peep was an avid cook book collector and had cupboards and curios filled with owl, frog, and elephant figurines.  Rita enjoyed observing and feeding the birds in the backyard and was the only lady in town who had a cardinal that when called would fly to her and perch on her shoulder. The green thumb she developed over the years was evident with her indoor plants and flowers. Her African Violets were a joy to see in bloom.

Rita was the loving mother of Linda Van Wingerden and husband Vincent Intindola of Pompton Plains, and Robert Heykoop, Jr. and wife Nancy Heykoop of Lincoln Park; she cherished her three granddaughters: Rhonda, Kelly, and Katie, and her three great-granddaughters: Lily, Hannah, and Laila were her pride and joy. Rita’s siblings include Arthur Zimmerer, Jr. and her recently deceased sister Theresa McCormick.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Covenant House Times Square Station, PO Box 731, NY, NY 10108-0900  or Saint Jude Childrens Research Hospital would be appreciated. (you can click on the organizations name to be brought to their donation page)