Our amazing mother, Mary Jane Ritson (Janie), peacefully passed away on February 2, 2019 at the age of 89. She and her twin sister Nancy were born on June 21, 1929 in Jeanette, Pa. Tragically, mom lost Nancy in March of 1970 at just 40 years old.
Raised aside in Jeanette as well, she would graduate High School in 1948 and soon after, took a job as a telephone switchboard operator at then referred to as the, “Bell Telephone Company.”
A few years later, she met a sailor on leave, Harry Ritson and they were married in 1953. Harry and Janie would have 5 children, Susan, Jeffrey (who died shortly after birth) Darlys, Russell and Dale.
They bought their first home in Irwin, Pa. in 1957 and lived here until Harry was relocated to Georgia in 1979. They bought a home in Dunwoody, Hidden Branches. They were married for 41 years until Harry passed away in 1994. Janie remained in their Dunwoody home the remainder of her life.
Janie had lots of passions beginning with horseback riding as a young girl. Her passion of Teddy Bears started when her father gave her first one, named after President Roosevelt (Teddy). She loved to pick out and send greeting cards. This was labor of love. She prided herself on making sure to never miss your birthday, anniversary or Holiday. If you received a, “Thinking of you” card, you know how special it made you feel.
Swimming aerobics might have been on her mind more than coffee! She absolutely loved this and it was where she felt young and healthy. She started taking classes in 2005. She was unable to continue in early 2017 but was determined to swim again and did so in the summer of 2018, moving pain free and having fun!
Christmas was Janie. Lights on the outside, decorations in every room and Christmas trees that stayed up all year! The spirit of the holidays was symbolic with how she lived her life, wishing goodwill to all, giving from the heart, making you feel special and grateful for all the blessing in her life. Time with family and friends was the gift she treasured the most during this time.
Janie is survived by her 4 children: Susan Ausec (Dan), Darlys Satterfield (Joe), Russell, and Dale (Mary) She is also survived by her 6 grandchildren Jesse Ausec (Paige), Sean Ausec, Kelly Helfrick (Nick) and Heather Brown (Josh).
Thank you mom for all you did for us. We love you very much.
