Nancy Jane Ritchey

Today, we say “see you later” to Nancy, who has gone home to heaven, wrapped in the love of the One she served so faithfully.

She was the quiet, steady heartbeat of her family — the mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who never stopped watching over “her kids,” and the devoted wife whose eyes always sparkled a little brighter when her husband of 58 years walked into the room.

Nancy had a way of making everyone feel safe and seen. Even the neighborhood stray cats knew where to find a warm meal, a gentle hand, and a soft place to land. Her servant heart showed up everywhere: in the church bingo hall she helped run for years, in the countless hours she volunteered, and in the way she always, always put others first.

She loved a good story and an even better adventure — especially when it involved the Boston Bruins. Hockey and Boston held a special place in her heart, and her stories of traveling with the team in her younger years could light up a room. In recent years, the casino became her little getaway, and somehow, she rarely walked away without a win.

Nancy’s life was a beautiful example of kindness, generosity, and quiet strength. She paid it forward in ways big and small, leaving behind a legacy of love that will continue through every life she touched.

While our hearts ache, we find comfort in knowing she’s in heaven now, reunited with loved ones and holding her great-granddaughter, Ellie Mae Ritchey, tightly again in her arms.

If you knew Nancy, we invite you to share a favorite memory, a story, or a way she touched your life. May we honor her by loving others as deeply and selflessly as she did.