Dedicated Volunteer June Ritter Passes at 83

Consummate volunteer and past president of the Ridgewood College Club, YWCA and co-founder of S.H.A.R.E., June Ritter passed away on October 1 at the age of 83. Despite being legally blind, Ritter's incredible history of volunteerism spanned six decades.

Born Milwaukee, June came from a working class family and was determined to get a college scholarship, eventually attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison. "She was kind of a non-conformist for women those days," her daughter Robin Ritter said in a phone interview. June began her career at Head Start as a social worker, a time when few women worked.

It was not a period without challenges. At age 17 June began losing her eyesight. At the same time, during WWII, two of her brothers were killed fighting overseas. "A lot of things began to unravel emotionally for her back then," Robin said. "But it made her stronger."

Though legally blind and unable to drive, June didn't see it as a hinderence to accomplishing what she set out to do. She was to prove she blindness would not slow her down.

"It was very important for her to maintain her independence despite the disability," Robin recalled. "Many had no idea she was blind. It's pretty remarkable."

Remembered as polite but opinionated, June was a woman with very strong values and the resolve to never waver.

"She really helped teach those natural convictions to her children," Robin said.

The Ritters became fixtures on the Ridgewood volunteer scene almost immediately upon their arrival in 1974. As husband Jack Ritter worked in Moonachie, June began getting involved in civic causes.

"She was just cut that way, I guess," said Jack, who was married to June for 62 years. "She was always interested in wanting to take care of other people, other things in her own way."

Ridgewood was a good fit for the couple, Jack said in an interview last week. June first joined The Ridgewood Newcomers Club, then the YWCA where she dedicated her time and energy to health and wellness activities. She was instrumental in bringing anti-racism programs to the village, and particularly stressed the importance of jobs programs to young girls, friends said.

Atop those heavy responsibilities, June also served as president of The College Club and like Jack, the board of the Unitarian Society.

Sally Virzi, another past president of The College Club and a friend for 30 years, said June's dedication was true and immense.

"She never sat on her laurels, she supported charity, she really gave to people. It was her life. She was a great person, she really was," Virzi remarked. "Even though she had a handicap, nothing could stop her."

Margaret Davies, of the Unitarian Society and S.H.A.R.E., said her friend June took a special interest in the residents who called the home on Prospect Street home.

"She leaves behind such a legacy," Davies said. Ritter was one of the original founders of the senior residential and served as an administrator without pay.

She took particular pains to be a friend to those who were widowed and preached a message of diversity and inclusiveness as President of the Unitarian Society's board, friend and Unitarian Society member Nell Seymour said.

"We really suffered the loss of June when she moved to Florida seven years ago," she remarked.

Beyond her civic duties, Jack recalled his late wife as a voracious reader.

"June was one of the most well-read people you ever met," he said. "Through the talking book program, she was constantly reading all the time. I, as a result, became one of the best partially-read persons around," Jack joked.

"We had a fantastic service at the Maples Unitarian Congregation [in Florida on Oct. 15]. Her ashes are spread in our memorial garden."

"I miss her," he said.

In addition to her husband of 62 years, her loving children and fourteen grandchildren survive her: Jay Ritter, Terri Ritter, Robin Ritter, Todd Ritter, Marcos Mauricio, Seth Herr, Uriah Herr, Eric Herr, Fiona Ritter-Davis, Jenna Marie Pilossof, Julia Pilossof, Nicholas Ritter, Greg Ritter, Lexie Ritter, Zack Hershman, Knox Rocke, Tyler Hershman, Kelly Comerford & Nick Comerford and her sister-in-law, Jean Clement.

Memorial donations may be made to: Planned Parenthood of Collier County: 1425 Creech Road, Naples, Florida 34103 or Avow Hospice Care: 1095 Whipporwill Lane, Naples, Florida 34105