Mary Verlene Cato Ritchie

Verlene Cato Ritchie was born on February 5, 1942 at home in Armona, California to Fielden and Florence Cato.

At the age of 5 her family and she moved to Laton where she attended schools in Kingsburg, California until the 11th grade and finished 11th and 12th at Laton High School in Laton, California.

She married George Ritchie and they were later divorced.

Verlene worked for Bank of America for 25 years and for Avenal State Penitentiary for 15 years prior to her retirement in 2008. Verlene lived for her family. She was very devoted and caring to their needs. She will always live in their hearts…

She is survived by two daughters; Diana Ottley and husband Tib Ottley of Evanston, WY, Suzanna Stuckey of Cortez, CO. Three brothers; Kenneth Cato and wife Kathy Cato of Coarsegold, CA, Paul Cato and wife Emily Cato of Santa Cruz, CA, Bud Cato and wife Tama Cato of Laton, CA. Verlene also leaves behind 8 grandchildren; Briana Van Loh, Brandon Van Loh, Bryan Van Loh, Nicole Harris, Bruce Harris, Chet Harris, Stormy Ottley, Kendall Fessenden and 4 great-grandchildren, Angela Harris, Jordan Hoover, Skye Ottley, Lyrik Fessenden.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson; Tib Ottley.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, May 6, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. at People’s Funeral Chapel; 501 N. Douty Street, Hanford, CA 93230 559-584-5591 with Burial to follow at Grangeville Cemetery; 1428 14th Avenue; Armona, CA 93202