Mary Anne Foley Ritchie passed away in Wilmington, NC on December 7, 2023. She was born on August 9, 1930, in Pineville, KY to the late Miriam W. Foley and John Wainwright Foley. She graduated from Pineville High School in 1948 and from Brenau College in 1952, where she was a member and president of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She married Charles M. (Chip) Ritchie in 1952 and they celebrated their 71st anniversary on Nov. 15th.
Mrs. Ritchie was fond of saying no one could have had more fun growing up than she did in the little town of Pineville during the 1930s and 40s. Her grandfather, John G. Foley, was a doctor and dentist making home visits on horseback. Mrs. Ritchie taught school for two years after graduation and then became a stay-at-home mother raising four sons and a daughter.
The Ritchie family moved frequently while Mr. Ritchie was in the Navy and with Westinghouse where he spent 30 years. After his retirement in 1990, they moved to Concord, NC and into the Ritchie family home where Mr. Ritchie had been raised. Mrs. Ritchie was active in Concord with Presbyterian Women, the service group of The First Presbyterian Church, the Salvation Army Auxiliary - serving once as their president. She belonged to a book club, study club, luncheon club and bridge clubs. She loved dancing and playing tennis and her dogs.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ritchie was predeceased by a brother, John W. Foley, Jr. and one grandchild, Jason G. Ritchie. Mrs. Ritchie was very proud of and deeply devoted to her children and their wives and families. She is survived by her husband, Chip, and her sons, Charles M. Ritchie, Jr, (Virginia, “Jenny”), Philip F. Ritchie (Rachel), Allen W. Ritchie, (Mimi), Marshall W. Ritchie (Anna) and her daughter, Miriam E. Ritchie, and by her seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Obituary to be sent to The Pineville Sun as well as local newspapers.
Requested Funeral Arrangements:
Cremation to be handled by Atlantic
Family burial service at Memorial Gardens columbarium Niche #34
Memorial service at First Presbyterian Church. Brief service with minimum eulogy. Music selected by Missy and Anna approved by Chip.
Receiving at Fellowship House after memorial service (or as desired by family)
