MaryJane Smilie Ritchie

Maryjane was a colleague for many years at CHS. She was always on the top of her game and worked diligently for her students. A fine lady.

Mary Jane will always be an example of integrity. True integrity. She always tried to do the right thing no matter how difficult the situation.
She loved her children unconditionally. She loved her friends and expressed those feelings no matter the distance or time apart.
Farewell my friend

Not enough opportunities over the years to see my Aunt Mary Jane. So very grateful to get to spend some time with her just this summer. Love to you from me and my little silver dog.

A dear friend, my colleague, confidant, and a courageous advocate for special needs children. She loved nature, the beauty of God´s creation especially the blue ridge mountains that bordered Crozet. She was a compassionate soul who loved the diversity found in humanity, the joy expressed in music , the song of a bird heard at dusk. Her unwavering friendship was a treasure. May she rest in peace.

Mary Jane was a strong woman and a natural educator. She adopted both of her children and strived to break the taboo of what was once an unspoken story. She developed a diapering method for children in body casts that was used nationally. She was an active member of the Junior League of Kingsport. She became head of the volunteers at Bays Mountain Park and led wildflower walks. Mary Jane worked with Sierra Club to help prevent the Park from being commercially developed to conserve the public...

Mary Jane and I shared some delightful times while I lived in Charlottesville and continued to stay in touch after I moved. She was a special lady who loved her children and her Rottweilers. I will miss her.

I am incredibly honored having known Mary Jane - as a colleague, big dog lover, mahogany cake baker, wild flower expert, storyteller, Derby hat-wearer, fellow Episcopalian, and most of all a compassionate and knowledgeable friend. And then there´s her pimento cheese! Her last text to me was, "peace of the Lord, Tom". I replied, "thanks be to God". And so it goes.

All of us at PT Plus in Crozet enjoyed Mary so much. She was so kind, pleasant and fun to work with. I personally enjoyed her stories. I know how much she loved her children, and her dog Daisy. She was fiercely independent, and a great dog Mom. An all around great person who will be missed.

Mary Jane was a wonderful friend, a spirited and independent woman and a fiercely protective dog mom. I was honored to be her friend! I will miss her. <3