Mixie Thompson Ritz

Mixie Thompson Ritz died Sunday, April 30th, 2017 at her residence in Montgomery, Alabama. Her other residences have included Beverly Hills, California; New York, New York; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Jackson, Michigan; and Somerset, Michigan.

She was born in Somerset, the youngest of two children of Dorothea (Leutheuser) and Bernard Thompson. She graduated from Parkside High School in Jackson, MI and Eastern Michigan University. She continued her education with many theatrical training workshops, a master’s degree in education from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and continuing studies at Harvard.

Mixie married Michael W. Ritz of Beverly Hills. They met at Paramount Studios and were married for over forty years.

She began her career doing production work at MGM, Warner Brothers, and Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. In New York City, she modeled in the fashion industry and acted in off-Broadway productions. Eventually, she found her calling in teaching high school history, government, and economics in Watts and South Central Los Angeles. She was a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, creative talent, spirited determination, and long-lasting friendships. An avid philanthropist, she donated to environmental, wildlife, and other animal welfare causes. She volunteered for historical architecture preservation initiatives.

Mixie is survived by her husband, Col. (Ret.) Michael W. Ritz of Montgomery, Alabama; her sister, Andrea (Peter) Colwell of Manistique, Michigan; her niece Dorothea Colwell (Steven Fox) of the Chicago, Illinois area; Michael’s sisters, brothers, niece, and nephews; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and two cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 15, 2017, at 10:00 am in the chapel of White Chapel-Greenwood Funeral Home with a visitation one hour prior to service. There will be another memorial service held at Somerset, Michigan’s Congregational Church, the dates and times to be announced later by the family. An additional, private celebration of Mixie’s life will be held for family and close friends in Los Angeles, California. Memorial donations may be directed toward cancer research and environmental causes of the donor’s choice. Arrangements made under the direction of White Chapel-Greenwood Funeral Home. Words of condolences can be made by going to www.whitechapel-greenwoodfh.com.