Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Ethel Ritzer Obituary
Publish in a newspaper
Born in in Warwick on March 26, 1926, she was the daughter of Samuel Chardavoyne and Anna Houghtaling. She was married to Robert P. Ritzer who predeceased her in 2021.
Ethel was a member of the New Milford Methodist Church where she helped out with many events and sang in the choir. She was an active member of the New Milford Historical Society where she also put in a lot of hard work. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society.
Ethel loved cardinals and had a large collection of them.
Ethel raised a large family of six children. Ethel worked at Meduski's in Warwick and kept busy canning and freezing vegetables from their large garden. Ethel was known to be a bit feisty but everyone loved her for it. The last few years, Ethel was well-taken care of by her dedicated caregiver, Narine.
Ethel is survived by her large and loving family: children: Darlene Vance and her husband John of Vernon, NJ; Cindy Sullivan of Jacksonville, FL; Paul Ritzer and his wife Sharon of Newton, NJ; Loraine Drown and her husband Tom of Middletown, NY; Connie Horton and her husband Rich of Myrtle Beach, SC; Ted Lavinski and his wife Karen of Myrtle Beach, SC; 12 grandchildren: Kristen Vance, Terry Vance, Caitlin Koch, Kelsey Viau, Ryan Sullivan, Rebecca VanHaste, Colleen Ritzer, Hailey Ritzer, Richard Horton, Donna Lent, Kara Lavinski and Dorinda Leeper; ten great-grandchildren: Kinsley, Aiden, Chevvy, Margaux, Killian, Ronin, Declan, Elizabeth, Arron, and Devin; three great-great grandchildren Jayden, Aria, and Emma; and her caregiver Narine McLawrence. She was also predeceased by her grandson Gregory Horton.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the funeral home, followed by interment in Warwick Cemetery, 50 Oakland Avenue, Warwick.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY 10990
Make a Donation
in Ethel Ritzer's name
People and places connected with Ethel
Recent Obituaries
How to support Ethel's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Ethel Ritzer's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
