Elsie Margaret Ritcey

RITCEY, Elsie Margaret — Died quietly and peacefully on Friday, April 9, 2010 at Northwood Centre, Halifax, six days short of her 95th birthday. Mom was a daughter of the late Stanley Howard Case and the late Sarah Elodie (McConkey) Case, born, raised and educated in Halifax. She survived the 1917 Halifax Explosion. Mom will be dearly missed by her son David (Sue) Ritcey, Halifax; daughters, Judy (Lloyd/Sandy) Sandercock, Fort Qu'Appelle, Sask.; Joanne (the late René) Bélanger, Halifax; her grandchildren, nephews, nieces, step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Bruce, grandson Scott (son of David and Sue), brother Stanley Thomas (Tom) Case and sister Mildred O'Brien. Mom lived most of her life in Halifax raising her family there. During her working years, she was a member of the National Secretaries Association and was employed with the Maritime Tel & Tel Company and later: the Family Service Bureau, Halifax Board of Trade and Dalhousie University. She had a strong commitment to volunteer service becoming involved in a number of positions. She held offices in the IODE at the Primary, Municipal, Provincial and National levels and was the Charter President of the Mayflower Ladies Curling Club 1958-59. She organized the first Home and School Education Program at Cornwallis Junior High School while President of the Home and School Association. She was President and Past President of the now defunct Halifax Ladies Public Speaking Club and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mom and Dad retired in 1971, moved to Pleasantville, Lunenburg County and later to the Town of Bridgewater where Mom became active in both communities. She assumed the responsibilities of President and Past President of the then Dawson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and President and Past President of the Bridgewater Ladies Golf Club. Returning to Halifax in 1987, Mom volunteered at the Dickson Building for Canadian Cancer Society, at the Red Cross and at St Andrew's United Church. She became a member of the Halifax Ladies Musical Club, the Friends of Symphony Nova Scotia, Women for Music, Opera Nova Scotia, the Theatre Arts Guild (TAG), Nova Scotia Art Gallery, the Waegwoltic Club and the Saraguay Club. She was a member of Oxford St. United Church and St Andrew's United Church and the respective United Church Women. Mom loved music, especially, the music of Chopin, Gershwin, Oscar Peterson, the Broadway musicals and others playing the piano by ear and attending symphony concerts well into her late 80s. She very much enjoyed playing both rubber and duplicate bridge. Mom traveled extensively visiting Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Europe, the Caribbean and areas of the United States including taking the cruise from Vancouver to Alaska. The funeral service will be held on Friday, April 30 at 2p.m. at St. Andrew's United Church with Reverend Dale Chisholm officiating. Following the service, there will be a reception/visitation in the church hall. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff of Northwood Centre 2c for the kind, patient and professional care provided to Mom over the last year. For online condolences please visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com