Joan Flanagan Ritty was born in Akron, OH October 8, 1921, and passed away peacefully March 2nd, 2013. She was the loving wife of the late Paul M. Ritty, and mother to Paul M. Ritty, Jr. (also known as Fr. Daniel) and Dr. Timothy M. Ritty and his wife Susan, and grandmother to Norma and Alice Ritty.

She was graduated from St. Martha grade school and Sacred Heart Academy high school of Akron, OH. In the 1960’s she worked many summers in support of migrant farm workers in Michigan, She earned a BA in English Literature at Avila University and MLA at Baker University. Joan taught creative writing and Shakespeare at Avila University in Kansas City, and Irish Myth at Duke University Institute for Learning in Retirement. In retirement, she taught taught literacy in Appalachian communities, and for Project Learn both in North Carolina and Wadsworth, OH. A writer, Joan published 300 poems and 75 short stories in more than 100 magazines. She was also a prolific watercolor painter. She belonged to Wadsworth Arts and History Club as well as the Wadsworth Woman’s Club. She was the first Poet Laureate of Medina County, OH.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul M. Ritty, her parents Bena and Francis X. Flanagan, sisters Eileen Snyder and Kathleen McFarland, and her brothers Francis, Jr. and Raymond Jude. Surviving family members include her sons, sisters Rosemary DiMaggio and Helen Geig, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Edwards main chapel, 3131 Smith Road, Fairlawn, OH on March 8th, at 11:00am with a reception to follow at the same location. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to TRU Community Hospice, 2594 Trailridge Dr., Lafayette, CO 80026, 303-449-7740, www.trucare.org.

Hilliard-Rospert
(330-334-1501)
www.HilliardRospert.com