Obituary of Joan E. Ritzinger

Ritzinger, Joan E. Joan E. Ritzinger of Pine Bush, a retired Teacher's Assistant of Crispell Middle School, died Thursday, November 9, 2006, at Westchester Medical Center. She was 59. Mrs. Ritzinger was born March 13, 1947 in Kearney, N.J. She is survived by her beloved husband of 39 years, Gerard of Pine Bush; her daughter, Robyn of Middletown; son, Brian and partner, Belynda of Middletown; mother, Evelyn Hawks of Kearny, N.J.; brother, Thomas Hawks and partner, Shirley of Kearny, N.J.; and family pet of 15 years, Spots. Mrs. Ritzinger had a pure soul and big heart. She was a compassionate person who always strived to help others. Not only did she help students each day of her career, she volunteered her time to numerous charities including Tsunami Relief and Relay for Life. She was also a member of Infant Savior Church in Pine Bush. She passed away peacefully with family and friends at her bedside. She will be dearly missed by her longtime friends; Dan and Debbie of Forked River, N.J., Elaine Lurie of Haymarket, Va., Brian and Dorothy McCarthy of Hawley, Pa, Joe and Karen LaBelle of Middletown and her fiends at Crispell Middle School, Pine Bush. The family will be present to receive friends on Monday, November 13, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, 1525 Burlingham Rd., Pine Bush. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Infant Saviour in Pine Bush, Fr. Kevin Gallagher will officiate. A graveside service will take place at New Prospect Cemetery immediately following. Cremation will be private at the convenience of the family. Mrs. Ritzinger's ashes will be scattered over the Gulf of Mexico, as it was her dream to retire there with her husband. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202 or to The Live Strong Lance Armstrong Foundation National Mail Processing Center, P.O. Box 6003 Albert Lea, MN 56007-6003.