Dolores Mae Bright (nee Ritley) of Gates Mills, Ohio (Chester Twp) peacefully entered eternal rest on the sun-filled morning of August 19 at her beloved home. The oldest child of Julius Ritley and Irene (nee Plotz), she was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1935. Dolores was a proud graduate of Ursuline College and committed herself to lifelong learning. She helped dozens of families during her career in real estate, and was a decades-long supporter of Cleveland Play House and Chagrin Valley Little Theater. Dolores was a devout Catholic and a loyal parishioner of St. Anselm Catholic Church in Chesterland, Ohio.
Many friends, family members and business partners were impressed with Dolores’ insatiable curiosity about all things, from repairs to her cherished Saab automobiles to home improvement projects to financial investments. Dolores had an impressive aptitude for numbers…and she pressed that skill to the max during her time at the Blackjack tables over the years. Dolores’ interests were wide, but she especially took comfort in God’s gifts of trees, birds, family pets and her seven grandchildren. Her fashion sense was impeccable whether she was pulling weeds or headed to the theater, Dolores always had an artistic and sophisticated sense of style. The interior of her home reflected this talent with her unique and eclectic collection of art and furnishings that were distinctly her own. Dolores was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Joe E. Bright. She is survived by four children, Kelly (Doug), Kim, Joe and April; grandsons Max, Brock, Grayson and Dylan; granddaughters Christina, Hannah and Isabel; her sisters Patricia, Phyllis, Carol (Ron), Kathy (Don) and brother Mike (Mary). Family and friends are invited for visitation at GATTOZZI AND SON FUNERAL HOME, 12524 CHILLICOTHE RD. (RT. 306, N. OF MAYFIELD RD.) CHESTERLAND ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23 FROM 5 – 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial for Dolores will follow on Thursday morning, August 24 at 10:00 am at St. Anselm Church, 12969 Chillicothe Rd. in Chesterland. Those who wish to join the funeral procession from Gattozzi & Son Funeral Home to St. Anselm Church should arrive to the funeral home by 9:30 am. A luncheon for family and friends will take place at Dolores’ treasured home directly following the Mass until 2:00 pm. A private interment for Dolores and her husband Joe will take place at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gattozziandson.com for the Bright family.
