Mabel Elizabeth Ritchey

Mabel Elizabeth Ritchey, 86, died peacefully after an 11 year journey with Alzeimers disease. She married Clyde (Jiggs) Ritchey August 25, 1953 and lived happily for 51 ½ years until his death 11 years ago. She is survived by a daughter, Sharon Kay Ritchey and a sister, Shirley Wendell as well as two dogs, Tara and Wagner. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Martha, Dorothy, Janie and one brother, Louis. Mabel worked part time for 25 years for the Altoona Area School District as a cafeteria aide making milk shakes and was fondly known as the sandwich lady. She quickly earned the nickname as Mrs. Clean. For over 20 years she walked 2 miles each way to work. She attended school completing Roosevelt Jr. High School before being called home to care for her mother. After retirement Mrs. Ritchey began Volunteering at the Altoona Hospital every Monday. This wonderful group of volunteers met each week and her dear friend Sandy picked her up every Monday. She lived a full life with many trips to the Jersey shore for vacation. She attended the Wehnwood United Methodist church for 52 years. Mrs. Ritchey loved spending time with the children in the church nursery and attended the ladies UMW meetings. She and Jiggs had numerous wonderful friends both at church, with their family members and in the community with whom they played cards and vacationed with for over 50 years. A Memorial Service will be held, Sunday, July 26, 2015, at 1:30 p.m., at the Wehnwood United Methodist Church to celebrate her life. After the service, all are invited to the social hall of the church to enjoy a variety of desserts, as this is what Mabel enjoyed. Donations in her name will be accepted by the Wehnwood United Methodist Church to be used through the Helping Hand fund.