Forest
Lawn - Hollywood Hills Obituary
Judith
Elaine Beers Ritchie, age 81, passed away at her home in Glendale, California
on Saturday December 21, 2019.
Judy
was born on December 6, 1938 to Dr. Reid Lafeal Beers and Elaine Cannon Beers.
She married Jonathan Baird Ritchie on October 12, 1962. Together they raised 4
children. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her brother, Reid L. Beers
Jr, and her son Alan Ward Ritchie.
She
is survived by her husband Jon; son Wallace(Jennie); daughter Susan(Allan); and
daughter Amy; grandchildren Mark Alan Bell; Megan Armstrong(Kyle); Ryan
Ritchie; Rachel Ritchie; Elaine Bell; and one expected great grandchild that
she very much looked forward to meeting this spring.
After
graduating from Hoover High school in Glendale in 1956, Judy enjoyed attending
USC and pledged the Kappa Delta sorority. While at USC, she was very active in
her sorority and served as Panhellenic president. She was also completed a term
as president of the Southern California Council of Kappa Delta. She earned an undergraduate
degree in political science and worked for the Los Angeles Unified School
District. She returned to USC and completed a graduate degree in public
administration in 1968. She remained a devoted and loyal Trojan her entire life
and cheered her beloved football team on to countless victories each season.
After
Jon and Judy started their family, Judy turned her time and attention to
raising their children as well as working in many religious and civic
organizations where she put her public administration skills to repeated and
excellent use. As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints, she served as Relief Society president, or as part of a Relief Society
presidency, in both Glendale 4th Ward and Glendale Stake for a combined total
of 28 years of service. She also shared her love of music and skill as a
pianist with her congregation for many years as accompanist to the ward choir.
Judy, along with her mother, daughters and granddaughter, belonged to P.E.O
(Chapter CJ-JI), a philanthropic and educational organization that provides
financial support to women pursuing their educational goals. Judy was appointed
president of her local chapter many times and served as convention president
for the California State PEO Convention in 2008. Judy consistently worked in
the P.T.A. organizations at Mark Keppel, Toll and Hoover, sometimes
simultaneously, for over 20 years as her children grew up. After her son Alan
died from complications related to AIDS in 1992, Judy and Amy frequently spoke
at community events to increase AIDS awareness, especially for pediatric
patients, using their experiences to inform and educate others.
Above
all, Judy loved her family! She selflessly cared for her mother Elaine, and her
son, Alan, through years of extended illness, showing endless strength and
compassion as she met their needs. She treasured her large extended family of
aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and many dear friends whom she
treated as family. Her pantry was always stocked with supplies to make her
famous chocolate chip cookies, which she happily produced, day or night, to
celebrate a special occasion, or 'just because.' Judy was always there to lend
a listening ear, impart some of life's wisdom over a cold Diet Coke, go out to
lunch or share a crossword. Many Sunday nights were spent at the dining room
table laughing over a conversation or card game. Jon and Judy hosted a large
family Christmas Eve party for 50 years. Her beautiful Christmas decorations
were a great source of pride to her over the years, as she made and collected
decorations for every room in the house.
She
never tired of holding the hand of Jon, her sweetheart of over 57 years. She
also took great joy in spending time with her grandchildren: listening to them
laugh together in the living room, watching movies while passing them Hershey's
kisses from her secret stash, or slipping them 'mad money' for an adventure
downtown.
She
will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral
services for Judy will be held on Saturday December 28, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Glendale 2nd Ward building at 1101
N. Central Avenue, Glendale CA. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the
service.
Interment:
Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills