Isabel Jean Ritchie
1923 - 2009
Isabel Jean Ritchie (Groat) passed away suddenly on Saturday, December 19th, 2009 at the Stettler Hospital at the age of 86 years after a brief struggle with pneumonia. Isabel was born on August 2nd, 1923, in Endiang, Alberta to Peter and Elizabeth Groat, 2nd of seven children. She grew up on the family farm just north of Endiang and married Jack Ritchie in 1946. They lived in Bowness before moving to Stettler in 1950 and in 1978, they moved to Rochon Sands. Isabel had just moved into Paragon Place only six weeks ago. Isabel is survived by her six daughters; Letty (Rob) Docherty of Stettler, Betts (Jim) Kalbfleisch of Calgary, Joy (Dugall) Wood of Stettler, Fay (Mike) Ostafichuk of Calgary, Laureen (Neil) Milne of Calgary and Vicki (David) Brown of Erskine. Grandchildren; Todd, Tina and Tanille, Laura, Heidi, Peter and Drever, Ian, Curtis and Taylor, Megan, Jamie. Great-grandchildren; David, Jackalyn and Jack, Katherine, Jared and Emma, Jessica and Rachel and Austin. She is also survived by her sister Verna (Roy) Nelson of Stettler, brothers Jack (Gladys) Groat of Stettler, Gordon (Sharon) Groat of Blairmore, sisters-in-law, Margaret Groat and Luella Drever and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many very dear friends. Isabel was predeceased by her parents Peter and Elizabeth Groat, sisters Helen Myers and Mary Groat and brother Bob Groat. A memorial service will be held at the Stettler United Church on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Debbie Stockdale officiating. The active pallbearers will be Isabel¹s grandsons Todd Garstad, Ian, Curtis and Taylor Milne, Peter and Drever Wood. Honorary Pallbearers are her granddaughters, Tina Garstad, Heidi Fraser, Tanille Timmins, Laura Kalbfliesch and Megan Brown. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Stettler Health Foundation - Palliative Care, the Erskine Cemetery the Endiang Cemetery or to the charity of your choice in care of Brennen Funeral Home And Cremation Services P.O. Box 193, Stettler, AB. T0C 2L0 who were entrusted with the funeral arrangements. 403.742.3315 Condolences may be emailed to brennenf@telusplanet.net