Obituary of Alice Alma Ritchie

Alice Ritchie born at home on the family farm in Wisconsin January 12, 1932 passed away on March 12, 2012 surrounded by her loving family and friends. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January of 2009 she refused to let the disease slow her down. Alice graduated from Fertile High School and Bethesda School of Nursing. Shortly after graduating, she met and married John Ritchie of Roseau, Minnesota. Alice and John lived in Minnesota for two years before moving to California in 1955 along with their first son. After short stays in Santa Cruz and San Jose, they finally settled in Scotts Valley (along with three more sons) which she called home for the next 55 years. Alice and John divorced in 1974, and after some time remaining single she met her life long friend and companion Bud Knopf. Alice and Bud spent many years together going to flea markets, garage sales and taking occasional road trips across the country and through the Midwest where they loved to spend time with her sister and brother on his farm. Alice began a 31-year career at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, California at the original location on Soquel Avenue; transferring to the newly built hospital upon its completion in 1967. She loved working at Dominican Hospital and upon retirement, fondly recalled many memories what it was like working as a big happy family there. During Alice's fight with her disease that entailed several stays at Dominican Hospital, many of her former colleagues would stop by to say hello; always mentioning what a dedicated worker she was and how much they loved working with her. However, retirement only lasted for about a year when she declared "that she had seen to many people just waste away" and that she was going to start being a "care giver" to keep busy. Alice loved being a caregiver and truly enjoyed the people she took care of. After first being diagnosed with her disease, she continued to visit her "patients", as she called them, and do whatever she could for them, even if it was just sitting with them and providing companionship. Even her four boys no matter how much they pleaded for her to "slow down" could not persuade her. Alice is survived by her four boys and their wives Jeff Ritchie (Debbie), Tim Ritchie (Lynette), Todd Ritchie (Terri) and Craig Ritchie. Eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Her brother Jim Lehman and sister Elsie DeLong. She was preceded in her passing by her father Oscar, mother Gertrude, Sister Lillian, Brother Wilbur and longtime companion Bud Knopf. Alice's greatest joy was her family and friends, and spending time with them at her home in Scotts Valley. Her family will cherish the many memories of weekend get- togethers, or watching the 49ers with her friends of almost 50 years Vic and Carol Ramirez A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at Gateway Bible Church (5000 Granite Creek Road , Scotts Valley, CA. 95066) beginning at 1 p.m. She will be laid to rest in a private ceremony beside her loving companion Bud Knopf. To light a candle for Alice and share your thoughts with her family, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com The Family would like to thank all of you who reached out to us in her final months. Very special thanks to Dr. Yen and his staff, all the nurses and staff at Dominican Hospital, the Visiting Nurses Association, and Santa Cruz Hospice. Your commitment and compassion are amazing. In lieu of flowers the Ritchie family requests donations to the Scotts Valley Senior Center, Gateway Bible Church or Santa Cruz Hospice.