Evelyn Ritchie

Evelyn Frost Ritchie passed away quietly at her home in Elburn, on May 18, 2005. Evelyn was born in Fairbury, NE on May 17, 1906 and at the age of four years, her family moved to Bremerton, WA where she lived until her marriage in 1927.Evelyn was one of seven children born to Charles and Nellie Frost and grew up loving the outdoors and the woods and trout streams of the Olympic Peninsula, camping and fishing with friends. She was an excellent student and upon graduation from high school, became the desk clerk for the Bremerton YMCA where she met her husband-to-be, John Steffie Ritchie, a Chief Commissary Steward stationed at the naval base in Bremerton. When he was transferred to San Diego, Evelyn joined him there, and they were married in January of 1927. San Diego became their home, though Evelyn packed up their children, John, Gene and James and their belongings and made new homes for them all at the naval bases around the country whenever her husband was transferred. Evelyn’s memory was good until the last, and recently recounted that she had lived in fifty different homes.After her husband’s retirement, they bought a home in Jamul, California just outside of San Diego, where they could have a horse and dogs and chickens, and their three boys could complete their educations without any more transfers.As their children left home, Evelyn and John crossed the country several times to visit John’s family in North Carolina and son, Gene’s family in Illinois but always returned to the sun and the hills of California.After raising a family, and following her husband from base to base to keep the family together, Evelyn returned to the business world as admitting clerk at Grossmont Hospital in LaMesa, CA, and for a short time at Delnor Hospital in St. Charles, IL. She retired to spend five happy years traveling with her husband and then making their last home together in Julian, CA, before he passed away.After the death of her husband in 1973, Evelyn made her home with her sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Sherman Scott, caring for her sister’s fragile health after Sherman’s death. She continued living with her beloved nephew and his wife, Jay and Donna Scott, after the death of their mother.When he was transferred to San Diego, Evelyn joined him there, and they were married in January of 1927. San Diego became their home, though Evelyn packed up their children, John, Gene and James and their belongings and made new homes for them all at the naval bases around the country whenever her husband was transferred. Evelyn’s memory was good until the last, and recently recounted that she had lived in fifty different homes.After her husband’s retirement, they bought a home in Jamul, California just outside of San Diego, where they could have a horse and dogs and chickens, and their three boys could complete their educations without any more transfers.As their children left home, Evelyn and John crossed the country several times to visit John’s family in North Carolina and son, Gene’s family in Illinois but always returned to the sun and the hills of California.After raising a family, and following her husband from base to base to keep the family together, Evelyn returned to the business world as admitting clerk at Grossmont Hospital in LaMesa, CA, and for a short time at Delnor Hospital in St. Charles, IL. She retired to spend five happy years traveling with her husband and then making their last home together in Julian, CA, before he passed away.After the death of her husband in 1973, Evelyn made her home with her sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Sherman Scott, caring for her sister’s fragile health after Sherman’s death. She continued living with her beloved nephew and his wife, Jay and Donna Scott, after the death of their mother.In 1991, she joined her son Gene and his wife, Margaret in Elburn, IL. It was here that she became an important part of a new generation of the Ritchie family.Living a long life of 99 years means that she became the beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of many descendants. In California, she leaves Carol, the widow of their eldest son and their four sons, and their children. Residing there also are her youngest son, James (Janet) and their three children. In Illinois, she leaves her son, Gene (Margaret) Ritchie, their seven children and their children.Evelyn will be remembered by all as a spiritual person who found great strength in her daily devotions. Psalm 121 was among her favorite readings. Her high standards serve as a guide to all who knew her and her words and example will be recalled for years to come. When Evelyn had finished her daily "chores", she enjoyed writing letters and cads, reading and working crossword puzzles.She leaves behind several beloved members of her husband’s family in Kanapolis, NC, a close niece, Florence Shepherd in Seattle, and many descendants in California and Illinois.Evelyn joins in Eternity, her husband, John; her eldest son, Dr. John Steffie Ritchie; a grandson, Neil Taylor; her parents; and her six brothers and sisters. A memorial in her name has been established to benefit her favorite charities. Checks may be made to the Evelyn Ritchie Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Arrangements entrusted to the Conley Funeral Home, 1-800-8-CONLEY. Remembrances may be mailed to the same P.O. Box or emailed to the family through our website at: www.conleycare.com.

A private celebration of her life will be held by her family here after cremation and her cremains will be carried to California at a later time

The family there will say their good-bye before interment beside her husband in Julian, CA