Ruth Pitzer

PITZER, Ruth Katherine Knight, quietly passed away on April 17, 2010 at the age of 90 in Richmond, Va. She was born in Beverly, Mass., to Augustus Roy and Agnes Mary Knight. A former resident of Northern Virginia, she was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Lloyd R. Pitzer. She is survived by family members, Donna Broughton and husband, John, of Richmond, Va., Jack Pitzer and wife, Holly Avesian, of Vienna, Va., and Connie Gragnani and husband, Rudy, of Waxhaw, N.C. Ruth was blessed with 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Nancy and Eric Nelkin and daughters, Nicole and Ava, Austin and Wendell Welder and sons, Sam and Jordan, Anne-Claire Broughton and husband, Ben Hitchings and daughter, Emma, John Alexander and Amber Broughton and daughter, Lucy, Will Pitzer, Jean Pitzer, Emily, Kelly and Carly Avesian, Heather Hipple, Trey Gragnani and Katy Gragnani. Ruth is also survived by her beloved friend and companion, Lloyd Brooks; and by her three brothers, Francis Knight, Augustus Earl Knight and wife, Norma, and Irving Knight and wife, Priscilla, all of Beverly, Mass.; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly. Ruth worked for the Department of Army Intelligence at the Pentagon, where she received numerous awards for meritorious service. Her strong faith and love of music defined her life. She was active in the Presbyterian Church and was one of the first women to be elected as a Clerk of Session. In Richmond she was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Throughout her life, she was recognized and valued for her organizational skills, her attention to detail and her amazing memory, whether as an employee, the scorekeeper for her children's sports teams or serving on the resident's council at Lakewood Manor. Ruth's quiet dignity and loving nature earned her the respect and affection of all who knew her. The family is forever grateful for the extraordinary care and love shown to Ruth by all the staff at Lakewood Manor. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory may contribute to the Ruth Pitzer Nursing Education Fund of the VBH Foundation, Lakewood Manor, 1900 Lauderdale Drive, Richmond, Va. 23238. A celebration of Ruth's life will be held in the Simms Center of Lakewood Manor on Tuesday, April 27, at 1 p.m. Condolences may be offered at www.woodyfuneralhomeparham.com



This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.