Muriel L. Ritchie, 91, passed away on December 20, 2020. She was a devoted sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was the youngest daughter of John and Margaret McCann Little of Manchester, CT. At the age of 16, Muriel lost her beloved mother and learned to prepare the family meals, becoming an excellent cook and baker who was always called on to prepare desserts for family gatherings. Our mother was skilled at sewing and other needlework. She knitted winter hats for children in Manchester's Head Start program and was a member of the Altar Guild group who created the needlepoint altar kneelers for St. Mary's Episcopal Church in 2001. Her contribution was kneeler number 7, the burning bush. Muriel worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford after graduating from Manchester High School in 1947, she later worked in several doctor's offices including Dr. Evelyn Tan at the time of her retirement. Muriel is predeceased by her adoring husband of 39 years William T. Ritchie, Jr. and her sisters; Dorothy Panciera, Vivian Mae Sommariva, Barbara Taylor and Shirley Capen. She is survived by her two daughters and their spouses, Louise R. Kerin and her husband William and Mae-Ellen (Ellie) Winzler and her husband Andrew (Drew); her grandchildren Kristin Kerin, Kathryn Winzler, Alison Taylor and her husband Cameron; her great-grandchildren Isabelle Redman, Rosalie Taylor and Otto Taylor. Muriel is also survived by her two brothers-in-law Ernest Roger Ritchie and Robert Ritchie; her many loving nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren. The family would like to thank the nurses, aides and staff from Hartford Hospital Hospice, the nurses and staff at The Arbors of Hop Brook and especially our mother's caregiver, Kate, from Angelic Nursing and Home Care Registry who all worked so hard in this challenging time of Covid-19 to ensure our mother's comfort during her last months of illness. We would like to thank the Reverend Ann Lovejoy Johnson from St. Mary's Episcopal Church for consoling our mother with lovely music and prayers during their visits together. Burial will be held at East Cemetery in Manchester at the convenience of the family. Donations in memory of Muriel can be made to The Salvation Army, St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Manchester, CT or the charity of your choice.
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