Obituary of Mary Ellen Ritchie

It is with great sadness, we announce the passing of Mary Ellen (Crouse) Ritchie, wife of Alan Alfred Ritchie, of Fredericton New Brunswick, November 21, 2023.  Mary was born in Presque Isle, Maine, on December 17, 1937, the daughter of the late Lloyd and Gertrude (Bragdon) Crouse. 

Mary is survived by her children, Kimberly Waddell Knight (Steve Knight), Pamela Waddell Lavoie (Dean Lavoie); step children, Robbie Ritchie (Marie-Claude Lavoie), Peter Ritchie (Manon Methot), Jean-Yves Ritchie (Chris Cashabeck), Carlton Albert Jr., Danny Albert, Bryan Albert, David Albert (Mary); brother, Arthur Crouse (Jane); sister-in-law, Janice Cussen of Ireland, as well as many nieces and nephews.  It is with deep sorrow that she leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved son, Andrew “Andy” Albert; sisters, Catherine White, and Elizabeth Hanson; granddaughter, Abigail Violet Nichols; nephew, David White, and former husband, Carlton Albert.

Mary attended Presque Isle high school, and Husson College in Bangor, Me. She and Alan married in 1981, lived in Edmundston N.B., Montreal Quebec, and Atholville N.B.  They had a cottage at Baker Lake N.B., where they spent happy times with family and friends.

Mary lived life to the fullest. Blessed with boundless energy, she loved working in her gardens, painting, pottery, cooking, and socializing with family and her many friends. Duplicate bridge became a favorite pastime when she and Alan moved to Fredericton. She felt it was a wonderful way to meet new friends. Mary and Alan enjoyed years playing cribbage every evening before dinner and looked forward to this, creating tournaments between the two of them. When Alan retired, they rebuilt their cottage to a lovely lake home on Baker Lake Island, and stayed there until they moved to Fredericton N.B. in 2013.

Mary will be remembered for the love that she had for her family, her bright smile. She enjoyed shopping, and decorating for every holiday. She had a great love of cooking and having dinner parties for all. Mary kept her whole family together with her daily letters where she shared what was going on with everyone she loved.

A memorial service, and burial for Mary and her son Andrew “Andy”, will take place during the summer of 2024, in Edmundston, N.B. Dates will be announced closer to the summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

“When tomorrow starts without me
Don’t think we’re far apart
For every time you think of me
I’m right there in your heart.”

A memorial video made by Mary's beloved family, with the help of Catherine Soucie, can be viewed below