Diane "Deedie" K. Rittling

Born in 1920 in San Francisco, Deedie famously traveled across the country as in infant by train in a laundry basket. Her family eventually settled in Buffalo, where her father Col. William Kelly was president of the Niagara Mohawk Power company. Deedie remained a lifelong resident of Buffalo, attending the Buffalo Seminary and Fox Hollow School in Lenox, MA. Deedie’s mother Christiane Demanet Kelly was born in Antwerp, and Deedie remained close to numerous “Belgian cousins” and their families, with whom she spoke French.

Deedie was always a strong athlete and a talented golfer and tennis player; she continued to golf at Cragburn Country Club well into her nineties. She had a passion for the natural world, and spent many very satisfying years working as a volunteer at the Buffalo Museum of Science in the Entomology Department, where she curated the insect collection under the direction of Dr. Ichiro. Her passion for insects was well known, and her grandchildren quickly learned to bring their insect finds to their “Gocky”. She had a wide circle of friends in Buffalo: with her husband Joe, she was a member of the Saturn Club for almost 70 years, and was an avid bridge player. She was a devoted member of St Michael’s church in Buffalo, serving as lector for many years, and enjoyed traveling to the holy land with members of the church.

Deedie was fiercely independent and intrepid; she made her last trip to Rhode Island for a family reunion when she was 97. Her life was an inspiration to many. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph B Rittling, her sister Cecile Kelly Brown, and her son-in law James Crane. She is survived by her daughter Cathy Crane, sons Bill and Trum Rittling, stepdaughter Mary McLaughlin, daughters in law Susan Rittling and Sharon McGreevy, caregiver and dear friend Jackie Craig, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews from the Brown and Rittling families.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michaels Church or St Lukes Mission of Mercy.

A Service Of Christian Burial will be Saturday October 12th at 10:30am at St Michaels.