Eleanor A. Ritchie

Funeral services for Eleanor A. Philbrick-McManus-Ritchie, age 95 of Ogdensburg and formerly of Heuvelton will be held on Tuesday (November 22, 2011) at 10:00am at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home with Lay Pastor Lee Lewandowski officiating. Burial will follow the service at Oldsville Cemetery in Macomb.

Calling hours will be held on Monday from 2-4 & 6-8pm at the funeral home. Eleanor died Friday evening at her home under the care of her family and Hospice.

Surviving is her daughter Retha Redmond & her husband William of Ogdensburg; step-sons Dale Ritchie & his wife Bonnie of Heuvelton, Ronald Ritchie & his wife Sharon of Ogdensburg, William Ritchie of Heuvelton; step-daughters Sharon Ritchie of Massena and Judy McCoy of Ontario; 12 grandchildren, several great and great-great-grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews & cousins.

Two sons Ray & Dean McManis, a daughter Helen Ethridge, a brother Leonard Philbrick, two sisters Edna Rude and Julia Risendorph and a step-son Donald Ritchie predeceased her.

Eleanor was born on May 9, 1916 in Mexico, NY a daughter of the late Harvey & Eva (Simmons) Philbrick. She attended rural schools for her education and married Robert McManis on October 24, 1934 in Brassie Corners. He predeceased her in 1958. She then married Benjamin Ritchie on October 5, 1959 in Ogdensburg. He also predeceased her in 1988.

She worked on the family farm with her husband Robert until his death and then worked as a home healthcare aide for many years until becoming employed at McCadam Cheese as a laborer. She was a member of the Macomb Grange and Rebecca Lodge, and enjoyed playing bingo, scratch-off lottery tickets, knitting, cooking, flower gardening, NASCAR racing, her pets and especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart or Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.