Patricia Devine Ritch

Patricia Devine Ritch was born on October 16, 1933 in Houston, Texas and died on June 24, 2013 surrounded by her children in Plano, Texas. Patricia was raised in Tampico Tamaulipas, Mexico where she learned to speak both Spanish and English, and attended the American School. When she was 12 years old, she left Mexico to attend Fairfax Hall in Waynesboro, Virginia. At 16, in 1950, she graduated from high school and enrolled in the University of Texas. After graduating from the University, Patricia moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and went to work for Continental Airlines. In 1957, Patricia married Burk “Papa” Ritch and began a 54-year marriage which included six children and twelve grandchildren. Patricia was a stay-at-home Mama, the protector of her children, an artist, a conservative and a free spirit. Patricia was “Mama” to her children, “Pat” to her friends, and beginning in 1985 “Nana” in her new role as grandmother, in which she provided a never-ending supply of goodies to her grandchildren. In the mid 1980s, she began working at Macy’s at the Galleria, where she was completely in her element. Although hampered by health problems for the last ten years of her life, Patricia worked hard to maintain all of her relationships. Patricia was especially well known for her love of gift giving, and her gift of shopping. She and Papa loved Colorado and, especially, Red River, New Mexico; and they passed that love on to their children and their children’s children. More than anything else, Patricia loved her family and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends whether going to lunch with the “Lunch Bunch” (Cookie Kemp, Diane Ballard and Pat Rice), traveling with the girls to Colonial Williamsburg, touring with David & Carolyn, or going to Red River with the entire entourage.Patricia was preceded in death by her husband Harold Burk Ritch, her parents, Franklin French Devine and Elizabeth Masterson “Libbus” Devine (Abuelita) and by her brother Franklin French Devine, Jr. She is survived by her son Kurt David and wife Karen Elaine of Longview, Texas; her daughter Juliana Ritch Copenhaver and husband Chris of Lufkin, Texas; her daughter Karen Ritch Baier and husband Dennis of Lorena, Texas; her daughter Elizabeth Ritch and fiancé Rick Musil of Plano, Texas; her son Kevin Burk and wife Rhonda of Frisco, Texas; her son Franklin Edward and wife Valerie of Plano, Texas; by her grandchildren Callie Copenhaver, Katie Parker and her husband Colin, Chase Ritch Copenhaver, Cameron Futvoye, Hunter Futvoye, Victoria Ruth Baier, Kristen Elizabeth Ritch, Hannah Katherine Ritch, David Glenn Ritch, Luke Alexander Ritch, Libbie Patricia Ritch, and Parker Cole Ritch, by her brother David Johnston Devine and wife Pamela as well as by numerous, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers to make donations to Cal Farley's Boys Club: 10497 Town and Country Way, Houston, TX 77024 or by phone 713-463-8515.