Obituary of Cortez Green Ritchie

Cortez Ritchie, a longtime resident of Mendham Borough, passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Brunswick with her daughter at her side. She was 89. Born in West Green, Georgia to the late James Herbert and Carranee (Stripling) Green, she grew up in Broxton GA. She married William D. Ritchie while he was stationed in Douglas, GA training for the Army Air Corps. They moved to Mendham Borough in 1963 after having lived in Rahway previously. After the death of her husband in 2009, she moved to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains. Mrs. Ritchie received her degree in education from South Georgia College, and served as a teacher both in Georgia and Mendham. She was the president of the West Morris Regional Board of education, and later served as a councilwoman in Mendham Borough for many years. She was a longtime member of the Hilltop Presbyterian Church and served for many years as an Elder. Mrs. Ritchie was an accomplished duplicate bridge player, achieving recognition as a Life Master. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a sister Hazel Hoeschen. Survivors include her son William David Ritchie and his wife Maxine of Colorado Springs; her daughter Ellen Ritchie of East Millstone NJ; two brothers, Gerald Green and his wife Senney of Georgia; Ronald Green of Florida; her sister Winette Fletcher of Georgia, and two grandsons, Andrew and Alexander Burdulia. Arrangements are by the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ 07945 (973) 543-4720 www.baileyfuneralhomes.com Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday, November 7, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Funeral Services will be at the Hilltop Presbyterian Church, 14 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ 07945 on Friday, November 8, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Everyone should meet at church at 10:45 AM. Interment will be at the Hilltop Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory are requested by the family to the Hilltop Presbyterian Church, 14 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ 07945.