Marie Ann Ritchie

Marie Ann (Rowe) Ritchie, 66 of Laureldale died on March 1, 2008 at 7:00 a.m. in her residence after a year long battle with cancer.

She was the wife of Marshall Gene Ritchie, whom she married April 22, 1972.

Born on October 13, 1941 in Reading, she was a daughter of the late William Joseph and Florence Anna (Becker) Rowe.

Marie was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Laureldale.

She loved boating on the Chesepeake Bay, playing games, reading and listening to music.

Marie served as a volunteer dispatcher for the Muhlenberg Ambulance Association. She was also a past commander at the Coast Guard Axillary.

In addition to her husband there are four children surviving: Karen M. (Dietz), wife of Ronald Gamby of Robesonia; Cynthia L. (Dietz) Ruppert of Laureldale; JoAnn E. (Dietz), wife of Bruno Bombay of St. Lawrence and Kenneth E., Jr., husband of Tara Deitz of Delaware.

Also surviving are four step-children: Valerie Kay (Rithie) Acton of Florida; Greg Ritchie of Richland, PA; Kim (Ritchie) Miller of Richland, PA and Michelle Ritchie of Bethel, PA.

Two brothers, William J. Rowe, Jr. of Laureldale and James Charles Rowe of Temple also survive her.

There are eight grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 498 Bellevue Ave., Reading, PA 19605. Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Inc., Laureldale is in charge of arrangements.