Louise A. Ricketts

She was born September 1, 1946, at Fort Meade Army Base as her mother, Helen M. Hanzelman served in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. Louise grew up mostly in Catonsville; however, she would often go to the Arrington family farm in Howard County as a girl. This inspired her lifelong love of animals. She graduated from Catonsville Senior High (1964). After high school she married and started a family.

Louise had an enduring optimism and a stubborn fighting spirit. In 1976, she was involved in a head-on collision caused by a drunk driver. She was pronounced dead but later rolled off the gurney. She was airlifted to Shock Trauma in Baltimore where she recovered but was told she would never walk again. Challenge accepted. She would go on to walk, run, bike ride across the Bay Bridge, work, kayak, travel and live her life as she wished.

She was an amazing seamstress and quilter. In fact, her quilts were featured in numerous fairs and exhibits because of her exquisite attention to detail. She was also a dog mom. Since her first dog Teddy as a girl, she always had a canine companion whom she’d call her other children.

Louise enjoyed her family. She kayaked and biked with her husband of 60 years Gilbert. She flew to California to see her sons Eric and Dave. She enjoyed seeing Eric on stage in various plays and devoutly followed Dave’s music career even acting as a booking agent in Baltimore for his band Gaucho. Lastly, she delighted in her granddaughters Bee and Michaela.

She had a singular style which brightened the day of people she met. She was known far and wide for the hats she wore and the energy she brought with her.

Louise is survived by her husband Gilbert, sons Eric and Dave, daughter-in-law Margaret (Eric’s wife), granddaughters Bee and Michaela, and her miniature schnauzer Vada.

A memorial is being planned for the spring.