Irene Ritchie passed away in the presence of family on June 17, 2026, in Roswell, NM. She was 93 years old.

Irene was born on March 15, 1933, in Youngstown, Ohio. Her parents, Pasquale and Mary Cello, were hard-working and resourceful immigrants from Northern Italy. Irene and her numerous siblings were raised in church, and many, including Irene, began a relationship with Jesus Christ that sustained them throughout their lives.

As a young woman, Irene worked as a grocery store checker at Loblaws in Youngstown, Ohio, and Newport Valu King in Boardman, Ohio. In 1959, she was named Store Checker of the Year. During these years, Irene and her nearby younger sister, Becki, lovingly cared for their widowed mother, who lived with Irene, until her death.

On February 23, 1973, Irene married Don Ritchie, whom she met at the grocery store where she was working as a checker and he as a butcher. They made their home together in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, until Don died in 1997. In Florida, Irene worked as a bank teller and in the New Accounts Department at what eventually became Bank of America. She never missed a day of scheduled work and retired from the bank in 1988, after 15 years of service.

Irene and Don were members of The Church of God in the Fort Lauderdale area, where they hosted Bible studies in their home and were active in teaching God’s Word, loving people, and spreading the Gospel. They also enjoyed traveling the US in their motorhome, as well as traveling abroad.

As a young woman, Irene relished cooking delicious Italian food for her friends and family, creating a beautiful space wherever she lived, visiting her sisters in California and Ohio, working on creative projects, and wearing her growing collection of jewelry.

After Don’s death, Irene continued to live in Fort Lauderdale for 14 years before moving to Roswell, NM, to be near family in 2011. She made her first Roswell home at Peachtree Retirement Community for about five years, and then moved to BeeHive Homes of Roswell, where she received excellent assisted living care for eight and a half years until her death.

At “The BeeHive,” Irene became part of a loving community where caregivers and fellow residents were like family, and she was treated like a princess. Irene filled her days with crafts, including her favorite project of making angels out of embroidery thread, working puzzles, coloring, organizing her colored pencils and dresser drawers, playing bingo, exercising, Bible studies, playing the piano (by ear), singing hymns and songs in English and Italian, sitting on the front porch watching cars go by, and visiting with friends and family.

Irene loved to offer gifts to others—whether one of her embroidery-thread angels, a sweet treat, or one of her coloring pages—though the best gift was her bright, warm, caring smile. Irene had a lively sense of humor and would often keep her caregivers and her family in stitches!

Irene is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Becki and Dan Disbennett of Johnstown, OH.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Don Ritchie; her parents, Pasquale and Mary Cello; brothers, Michael Santorella and Dominic Santorella; and sisters, Helen Ranalli, Nicolena Chapman, Ann Brooks, Lee Bednarik, Antoinette Grigg, Cindy Humphries, and Julie Williams.

Irene’s family would like to thank the BeeHive Homes’ managers, Elizabeth Silva, Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, and Rebecca Lucero, as well as all the staff and caregivers who lovingly assisted Irene each day with kindness and patience. The family is also grateful to Gentiva Hospice for their professional and caring guidance during the long days and nights while Irene made her way from this mortal life into the eternal presence of Jesus.

Friends are invited to join Irene’s family at an informal gathering to be held at the BeeHive Homes of Roswell, 2903 N. Washington Avenue, on Thursday, July 2, at 3:00 pm. Together, we will honor Irene’s memory by sharing stories of how her antics and friendship touched our lives. All who knew and loved Irene are welcome!

Memorial gifts can be made in Irene’s memory to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 777, Roswell, NM 88202-0777.