Gerry Carter Ritzie

Gerry Carter Ritzie, age 64, lost her battle with cancer to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 13, 2011. She was born November 12, 1947, in Hamilton the daughter of Frederick J. and Melva (Powell) Ritzie. Gerry was an avid pool player with APA until her illness. She was employed at Sojourner Recovery Services from 1999-2005 and then the Southwestern Serenity Hall from 2005, doing what she loved to do, which was counseling those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. Gerry attended Miami University Hamilton to obtain a degree in criminal justice, but had to quit attending as a junior due to her illness.

She is survived by her partner of 20 years, Helen Quinlan, whom she loved dearly; cherished sons, Rodney (Shawna) Jones and Phillip Renfro; grandchildren who were the loves of her life, Cody Jones, Noah Jones, Dylan Ball, Christina Ball, Will Stewart and Sidney Croucher; devoted sister with whom she shared many good times, Theresa (Norm) Reid and sister, Vanessa Ritzie; brothers, John (Tonya) Ritzie and Fred (Sue) Ritzie; half-sisters, Jenny Lynn and Joe Ann Hart; half-brothers, Jimmy and Tommy Hart; special friends Marcy, Lori, Nancy, and Penny; her church family; and a host of other friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Damon R. Jones; sister, Bonnie Rogers; and stepbrothers, Cecil Rogers and Bobby Woods.

Funeral service will be held at the Brown-Dawson-Flick Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Avenue, on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 10am with Rodney Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, December 16, 2011, from 6pm to 8pm. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Edward Crane and the staff of Hospice for all their support and care, and to the staff of Huntington Court for their loving care of Gerry, as well as their compassion for her family and friends.