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Mary Jane Smilie Ritchie
1938 - 2025
UPCOMING SERVICE
Mary Ritchie Obituary
September 16, 1938 -
September 24, 2025
Mary "MaryJane" Smilie Ritchie died on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, in Charlottesville, VA at the Hospice House of the Piedmont after one peaceful night. She was born in Columbus, GA on September 16, 1938, to the late Andrew Herbert Smilie and Mildred Climer Smilie.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Herbert David Smilie and Robert Andrew Smilie; and dogs, Gunner, Stoney, and Daffy.
She is survived by her son, Tom Patrick Vox (Steve Duarte); her daughter, Joan Ritchie Kelly (Steve Kelly); and her dog, Daisy who has been graciously readopted to the Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue.
MaryJane graduated from Columbus High School, Auburn University, and East Tennessee State University. She taught in the city schools of Columbus, GA, Kingsport, TN, and Charlottesville, VA. She was Assistant Professor at ETSU working with early intervention programs for infants, student teaching in Special Education, and graduate teaching in Behavioral Management.
MaryJane loved her Rottweilers and Auburn Athletics "War Eagle!"
The family expresses gratitude and appreciation for the care she received from the UVA Neurosurgical Team as well as the loving and caring staff at Hospice House of the Piedmont.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 10 am at St Paul's Memorial Church, 1701 University Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903, with a burial of ashes in the Memory Garden following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice House of the Piedmont, https://hopva.org/donate-online-now/
An online guestbook is available at www.compassionatecremationva.com
Compassionate Cremation Services of Ruckersville, VA is handling the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memorial Events
for Mary Ritchie
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Ritchie
1 Entry
Suzy and Don Smith
Earlier today
Mary Jane was a very special friend to me my husband and my parents. We loved Mary Jane as if she were family. I will miss her terribly as will my husband but we are so much better off for having her in our lives. My deepest sympathy to you Joan and to Tom. Suzy
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