Sandra Cornwell Ritchie

Sandra Cornwell Ritchie, 82, a resident of Friendship Village in Columbus, died on Sept. 12, 2017, at the Kobaker House. A memorial service will be held at the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1574 Franklin Street, Lewis Center, Ohio, 43035, on Sat. October 7, at 11:00 AM, Rev. Joan Van Becelaere officiating. The service will also feature music by the NUUC Recorder Ensemble, Marlene Hartzler (flute), and Wade Jones (piano). A reception of savory and sweet baked goods and mulled apple cider will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Sandra’s honor to either Planned Parenthood or the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Lewis Center, Ohio. To give to planned parenthood, visit

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-involved/other-ways-give

and when asked where to direct the acknowledgement card, indicate: Susan Ritchie, 300 Lenappe Drive, Columbus Ohio 43214. Donations to the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation can be made to PO Box 541, Lewis Center, Ohio, 43035. Please indicate Ritchie memorial in the memo line of your check.

Sandra is survived by children Susan Jean Ritchie (Donna Jean DeGeorge) and Robert James Ritchie (Dana V. Lema), and sister Constance Cornwell Rogers (Don Rogers).

This from Sandra’s daughter Susan, written on September 12:

My beautiful, intelligent, and generous mother, Sandra Ritchie, died earlier today, while Donna and I were present with her at Kobacker House here in Columbus, Ohio (residential hospice). While we are deeply sad, we are also relieved that she is free of the considerable suffering she endured since she experienced a large stroke in early August. Her last thoughts were of her family, the highlights of her nursing career (as an advocate for birth control and women’s choice in public health, and as an investigator of sources of infectious disease), and her love of music (indeed, she practiced flute scales with her fingers when she was beyond speech). She was also a brilliant pet grandparent, making sure all Ritchie-DeGeorge animals had developmentally appropriate and intellectually stimulating toys, experiences, and training. A proud Coloradan, her ultimate destination will be the foothills of Mt. Sanitas in Boulder.

Here are some details about Sandra’s life that she shared with her classmates on the occasion of their 50th Reunion of graduation from South High School in Denver, Colorado:

Spouse’s Name: Jim (Deceased)

Interesting Spouse Facts: A University of Colorado Journalism graduate. Jim was a reporter (6yrs) on the Denver Post - covering CO Statehouse, including the governor’s office before going into P.R., Now deceased

Children Facts: Two children; Susan - PHD and Seminary graduate with OH church. Robert - M.S. Electrical Engineer, Silicon Valley, CA.

Biggest Surprise in the last 50 years: The number of places I have called home. Since marriage I have purchased 13 homes (one at a time!) in 7 states and, there have been some rentals.

What would most surprise my ’53 classmates about me: My heart is in Colorado but my address is in Ohio! I have been single since 1986.

Hobbies: Investment Club, fitness exercises, some playing of flute, flower pot gardening, babysitting my daughter's dog.

Sports Activities: Doubles tennis, some "bad" golf.

Volunteer Activities: Volunteering for daughter's church and for Red Cross.

Favorite Vacation: 6-'01 a 4-day tour of CO high mountains

Favorite or best accomplishment: Teaching my children. Managing Prevention and

Control of Communicable Disease for greater Cleveland Health Dept.

Future Plans: I'm just at a point of time to consider - Both parents died fairly recently

after LONG illnesses.

Autobiography: I graduated with a B.S. in Nursing with Special Honors, University of

Colorado 6- 57.1 then worked until 1960 for the City and County of Denver as a public health nurse. M.S., Adult Continuing Ed., Northern IL Univ. 1982. Husband's business transfers took us to Washington, D.C., Southern CA, Milwaukee, Wis., Chicago, IL (2 times) and Ohio. After his death in 1986 I returned to work as a public health nursing manager in Cleveland, Ohio. I retired 5-98 from organizing and administrating the “Physicians’ Free Clinics” for the Columbus, Ohio Medical Association.