Christine Mary Aluzzo Ritz

Mother We call Christine Mother because in September ´61 she decided to be our Mother. José was nine, Benny was seven, and thanks be to God she will be our Mother forever. Our Mami, Mariana, decided after many prayers, many sleepless nights, and many days crying during great turmoil in Cuba that she would place us gently on the shores of this great land, the United States of America. God allowed us to travel safely from Camagüey to Syracuse and in less than three weeks we were within...

I have known Chris Ritz for close to 50 years. I worked with two of her hearing impaired children and we became close friends as a result. She was one of the strongest people I have ever known and a tremendous advocate for her children as well as others who were being deprived of an equal opportunity education through their school districts. I have the utmost respect for Chris. She was never afraid to speak up for what was right and not one to ever back down where her children were concerned....