Jean Darling Ritchie

Jean B. Darling Ritchie left this life on June 23, 2022 to move on to her eternal home in
Heaven. As a devoted follower of Jesus, she was a woman of faith throughout her life. For many
years, she had been looking forward to reuniting with loved ones and meeting her Lord face to face.
Jean was born in Atchison, Kansas on May 11, 1921 to Eugene and Ethel Darling. She spent
most of her childhood in nearby Holton before the family relocated to Santa Monica, CA when
Jean entered University High School. After graduating in 1939 she received her AA degree from
Santa Monica City College. One of six siblings she was involved in caring for the younger
children and eventually went to work in a bicycle sales and repair shop where she first met Bob
Ritchie in 1941. Jean and Bob were avid cyclists and much of their courtship took place on long
bike rides up and down the Pacific coast. They married in 1942 and while Bob served in World
War II she worked at Douglas Aircraft inspecting parts for military planes.
After the war, Jean and Bob settled in the San Fernando Valley and raised three children. Jean
was active in parent organizations, the Boy Scouts, and teaching Sunday School. She was a
talented artist, seamstress, and crafter.
She particularly enjoyed preparing for holidays and baking. She was devoted to her family and in her
later years became very attached to her canine companions.
Jean is the last surviving child from her family and was preceded in death by parents, brothers
Douglas and Bud Darling and sisters Eleanor Bishop, Maryann Miller, and Peggy Wines. She is
survived by her son, Tom Ritchie and his wife Phyllis, son Steve Ritchie and his partner Carole
Kelly, and daughter Robin Sheets and her husband John. She leaves behind grandchildren Bill
Ritchie, Leanne Nielsen, Adriane Ritchie, Camille Sheets and Martha Sheets and great
grandchildren Kyle Nielsen, Brittany Nielsen and Rachel Kiser.
For many years Jean lived in her home with minimal help before moving earlier this year to
Pacifica Northridge where she made several new friends and revived some of her creative interests.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests gifts and support for the International Fellowship of
Christians and Jews (Yael Eckstein, P.O. Box 97339, Washington, D.C. 20077-7472) or The
Wounded Warrior Project (Donor Care Center, P.O. Box 758541, Topeka, KS 66675-8541).