Carol Elizabeth Ritter

Carol Elizabeth Ritter, age 95, of Suffern, New York, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023, after a brief illness. This sad occasion was only one day after her 72nd wedding anniversary to her beloved husband Lawrence, who was at her side.

Carol was born on July 6, 1927, to the late Clifford and Catherine (Hopley) Hellings in Brooklyn, NY. The family moved to Rockland County during her teen years.

Carol was a graduate of Nyack High School. She was a modern career girl of the 1940's, where she was employed as a laboratory technician in the Animal Research Group at Lederle Laboratories. She met her future husband Larry, a chemist in Lederle's Product Development department, at the company's Camera Club. After raising her family, Carol returned to work as an elementary school library clerk at Airmont Road and Viola schools in Suffern, retiring in 1990.

Carol was intelligent, wise, fun-loving, elegant, independent and social. She was an avid reader, bridge player, traveler, and beach lover. For more than 50 years, Carol and her family made wonderful memories on Cape Cod, centered in Harwich. She was a long-time member of the Suffern Women's Club and took immense pride in the club's work to establish the Suffern Free Library.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children Rick (Mary Lee) of Colchester, VT, Dianne of Halfmoon, NY, Tricia (Konrad) of Mesa, AZ, Randy (Margaret) of Macungie, PA, and grandchildren Beth, Lauren, Max, Cathy and Grant. She was pre-deceased by her brother Clifford and newborn son Robbie.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at the Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Rt. 59, Suffern, NY from 10:30am to 11:30am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 Noon following the visitation at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern, NY. Burial will follow at Frederick W. Loescher Veterans Cemetery in New Hempstead, NY.

Special thanks go out to the wonderful people at Tappan Zee Manor Senior Living, the Nyack Hospital CCU staff, and the living angels at the Joe Raso Hospice Residence in New City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Carol's honor to the Suffern Women's Club Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 56, Suffern, NY 10901) or to United Hospice of Rockland (unitedhospiceinc.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wanamakercarlough.com for the Ritter family.