Stacy Leah Ritchel

If you had the great fortune to know her, she was one of a kind, and the textbook definition of an Aries, hotheaded, stubborn, and a fiery passion for anything that sparked her creativity. You never had to guess when she was mad or upset with you either, because she would give you a piece of her mind as soon as you messed up, and she definitely would not have spared on the autocorrect “duck’s” either. You would have also known the most un-judgmental, compassionate and loving person you would ever meet. She did not care if you were at your highest point, or you had hit rock bottom, there was always an offer of a hot meal and a place to sleep safely.

Growing up with three older brothers was rough but it made her strong. It made her prepared for her family life because she swore it was her “destiny” to have boys. Let the foreshadowing, begin… In her young life she was a model, and had fun doing photoshoots, and later modeled bikinis, she was stunning. While she was diving into several different career options, she ran into James Ritchel. He asked her to dance, and afterward asked if she would like to have a second date, and that as they say is history. On July 19, 1991, they got married, and as their love grew, so did their family. Their first daughter, Taylor Jade Ritchel, and then two years later Kyra Lauryn Ritchel. As time passed, friends were made, those friends ended up adopted into the family, Kaedi Bates, Andrew Goddard, and Maddy Gandin, joined the family and were always welcomed with loving arms. Any of the animals that made it into the house, had met their forever home, and each one of them spoiled and considered her children as well. As her career in cosmetology reached its highest point, she was able to open her own nail salon, and called it “Spectacular Nails” and she would not let you forget she was a "MASTER" nail technician of over 30 years, and trust me, she was. Stacy had been doing all of those nail arts, and tiny designs way before they were shown in tutorial form on the internet.

After her 53rd birthday, she had gotten ill and spent time in and out of the hospital, until her final trip to the hospital where she passed away comfortably, and in her sleep surrounded by her family. Her laughter, love, care, passion, and so much more, will be greatly missed and is a tragedy in itself that her flame was put out well before her time.

She is proceeded in passing by her Mother and best friend, Sally Louise Portwood; her father, James Ira Portwood; her rainbow bridge children, Hero Ritchel, Beethoven Ritchel, Smokey Ritchel, and Cinder Ritchel.

She is Survived by, her loving soul mate, James Robly Ritchel; her daughters, Taylor Jade Ritchel and Kyra Lauryn Ritchel; her adopted children, Kaedi Bates, and Maddy Gandin; her brothers, Joe Portwood, Rick Portwood and Casey Portwood; her lifelong best friend and sister, Jessica Garcia; her many nieces and nephews; her numerous, wonderfully caring and equally crazy friends; her animal children, Luna Ritchel and Sasha Ritchel; and her grandchildren (a.k.a her children’s dogs) Iris Ritchel, Rose Ritchel and Sebastian Ritchel.

Mrs. Stacy Ritchel’s memorial service are currently pending, but will be held at Calvary Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, if you wish to send flowers her daughter’s request that you support Nino’s flower shop thank you.