Nora Lucy (Thomas) Ritchie

Nora Ritchie (nee Thomas)

Nora was our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, and auntie. To our family, she was our centre. She didn’t like attention; yet, her grace and strength filled a room. She was observant, quiet, and witty and she was a survivor of many things over her 103 years. She held very old stories of people and events from the Munsee community, yet, she was also able to keep an eye on all of us through her facebook account. Although she was a centenarian, she didn’t look a year older than 80. She was born in the Munsee Delaware Nation and lived most of her life in Rodney. She worked on many tobacco farms in the area and eventually retired from Tender Tootsies where she worked on a sewing machine for years. 

On Monday, September 8, we held her hand, kissed her cheek, and told her we loved her as  she took her journey to the spirit world. Now, she is on her way to be reunited with her parents, Nora and Frederick Thomas, and her husbands James Waucaush (1949) and Harold Ritchie (1977) as well as her siblings Cornelia Albert, Jake Thomas, Rose Doxtator, Rebecca Deleary, and Lewis Thomas. 

Mom was adored by all of us, her children: Wanda, Frederick (Sue), Carol (Richard), Sharon (Tony), Harold (Connie), Mary Lou (Roy), and Tracy. Her grandchildren and their children admired her and feel a great sense of gratitude to have been able to know her and share their lives with her for such a long time. To her, we say anushiik for your guidance and love.  

Family and friends will celebrate Nora’s life at the Munsee Delaware Nation Community Centre on September 14 from 1-4 p.m. 

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