Diane Starrett

Diane (Deedee) Ritch Starrett, surrounded by family, passed away peacefully on February 14th at the age of ninety. She was born in Chicago on August 11, 1934 to Dr. Colquitt Otis Ritch of Odum, GA and Mary Loretto Janette Ritch of Kenilworth, IL.

Ever the intellectual, Deedee excelled in school while urging her friends to do better. Deedee graduated from Bryn Mawr College at age 20, was a translator at the Continental Bank, and a staff writer for the Society column of the Chicago Tribune in the late 1950s. She was very proud of the fact that her hard-nosed editors never changed a word of her articles (she would very likely edit this one). She had a facility with languages, was fluent in 5, and lived in both Le Havre and Florence after the war. She maintained her friendships with her host families her entire life.

Deedee took her responsibilities as a mother seriously. With four children (3 boys and a girl), she was busy and tough love ruled the day. Never one to settle for mediocrity, she pushed her (and neighborhood) children to excel. During this time she put her language skills to work, becoming a French professor at Aurora University. Deedee was an avid tennis player, downhill skier, and met many of her friends through sports.

Important to both Deedee and Ward Sr. was raising their boys in the Boy Scouts. In addition to Ward Sr., all three sons and grandsons Cole and David earned their Eagle Scout Award. Deedee was active in BSA Troop 3 in Aurora, IL and was committee chair for years.

She enjoyed her wonderful retirement with Ward Sr. in Bonita Springs, FL and later Tucson, AZ and had many adventures traveling the globe and spending time with grandkids.

Deedee was married to Dr. Ward C. Starrett for 53 years and succeeded him by 10 years. She is survived by her four children: Alex (Sarah), Harry (Jennie), Ward Jr. (Jen) and Diane (Bill) Taranowski and eight grandchildren: Alexandra, Lane, Tali, Cole, Meredith, Claire, Laurie, and David.

A private memorial will be held for the family.