Mary Catherine (Roush) Ritter

Ritter, Mary Catherine

Well, we have been putting this task off now for several days. We knew Mary's death was imminent and the obituary would soon need to be placed. Mary graduated from this earth to her heavenly reward on Saturday, September 21, 2019. She was born on Monday, March 17, 1924 in Winfield PA. She spent her childhood and young married life in Selinsgrove PA. During WWII she worked in a TNT plant making munitions. She also worked for Westinghouse welding for the war effort. After the war she married Walter Ritter on his return tour of duty in the Navy. She, along with her husband Walter, packed up their 4 young boys and moved to New Mexico in 1956. This had been her home ever since, although Pennsylvania stories were always on the tip of her tongue. Horse and buggies, milking cows, no electricity, outhouses and life during World War II stories were plentiful. Her life in New Mexico was spent raising her children, working at Lovelace Labs and mostly enjoying her grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She spoke little about the deaths of her husband and three of her four sons, although we know these events left her with a huge hole in her heart. John Ritter is her surviving son. She has been blessed with 3 daughters by marriage, Diane (wife of John), Mary (wife of deceased son Bruce) and Linda (wife of deceased son Dick), also 10 grandchildren and 19 great- grandchildren. What a wonderful life she has had. Her great-grandchildren know her as grandma turtle, as she had turtles in her yard since her oldest grandson brought one to her to keep for him in 1972. At latest count there are 8 or 10 turtle residents in her yard. Mary took a road trip to Pennsylvania in June. She had a delightful time. She spent time with her older brother and younger sister and many extended family members. The trip was a blessing for everyone involved. A Memorial Service for Mary will be on Saturday October 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at, St Timothy’s Lutheran Church. She would be much happier if donations were made to Joy Junction instead of flowers. She was a very practical lady. Kindred Hospice was a wonderful help and reinforcement in her last days. Thanks to everyone from their expansive team. Jana was a delight. In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful but gratefulness that makes us happy. She was part of a very strong generation. We will miss her. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church at 10:00 a.m. A Graveside Service will take place on Monday, October 21, 2019 at, 12:45 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

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