Lorraine Janice Ritchey

Lorraine Janice Ritchey

Services: Sat. June 29, 11:30 a.m.

Graveside services will be held at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 N. Teilman, Fresno, California, Saturday, June 29, at 11:30 a.m. for Mrs. Lorraine Janice Ritchey who went to be with the Lord June 26, 2002 after complications of a lengthy illness.

I am so very thankful to my grandparents, Hazel Irene and Harrison Fredrick Yager for bringing in to this world my mother, Lorraine Janice Yager, on May 1, 1920. What a gift of a mother for me, Janiece Ritchey Grubbs. My mother was a wonderful lady who taught so many lessons of life to myself, my children and grandchildren. Many of those lessons are just now becoming evident. She was indeed a matriarch of principle and passion, loving, caring, thoughtfulness and strength.

My mom married John V. Ritchey in January of 1937. During the 1940s, they traveled up and down the valley with the music conservatory. In the early 1950s, she worked at many of the fashionable dress shops in Fresno. In 1952, my family moved to Delano, where my father became the music director of Delano Joint Union High School. My mother began working for Dr.s Yoon and Mashburn, DDS, as a dental assistant. She worked there for many years, all the while helping daddy with band trips and arrangements. Many of the band students knew my mom well, and she loved everyone of them.

My mom was, like most moms, the recepient of many stray dogs, cats, birds, etc., which she welcomed with open arms. She often said, in her later years, that I sould have been a vet instead of a nurse.

Family was most important to her. She carried out a genealogical search that is quite extensive and interesting. Each addition bringing her joy. All of her family has a page in her book. She and my father provided my family with some of the most splendid memories.summer vacations in Oregon, or the means of transportation to travel the Northwestern states camping in their van. My mom and dad always supported myself and my children in all our endeavors. Whether it be school concerts, sporting events, or academic achievements.

My mom was preceded in death by her husband, John V. Ritchey, and her sister, Evelyn Shirer. She is survived by brothers and wives, Arthur and Blanche Yager of Fresno, Allen and Cathy Yager of Madera, and Donald and Jeanne Yager of Oakhurst; sisters, Wanda Elaine Perkins of Fresno, Theda Churchwill of Fresno, and Charlotte Anderson of Santa Cruz; her loving daughter, Janiece L. Grubbs, of Bakersfield; granddaughters and husbands, Michelle and John Nobles of Walker Basin, Monique and Michael Banducci and Stephanie and Andy Sweaney, all of Bakersfield; great-grandchildren, Makala and Sheldon Hansen of Georgia, Jessica Nobles, Mitchell and Mayci Banducci, and Joshua and Jacob Sweaney; and numerous nieces and nephews who were deeply loved by her.

It would please Mrs. Ritchey if, in lieu of flowers, donations would be made to the Delano Music Memorial, c/o Martha Fernando, 1611 16th Place, Delano, CA 93215 or the Delano Historical Society, 330 Lexington St., Delano, CA 93215.

Hopson-Anspach

Family Mortuary Bakersfield