Obituary of Margaret Mary Ritter

Margaret Mary Ritter Age 55, died Tuesday, August 2, 2016 after a brief illness. Margaret was born in Joliet, IL on October 7, 1960, the daughter of George and Lorraine Ritter. Margaret was born with Down Syndrome but faced life's challenges with dignity and humor. She was a graduate of Joliet East High School and participated in the Special Olympics and in Joliet Park District sports programs. Upon her mother's death, Margaret lived with the Trinity Services program and then moved into the Shapiro Developmental Center in Kankakee in 1993. She made many friends and was employed at the Kankakee County Training Center. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Dr. Mary Ritter, Ph.D. Margaret is survived by her siblings, Dr. Dorothy Ritter M.D.,Ph.D. of Madison, WI, Barbara (Richard) McHugh of Alpharetta, GA, Rita (the late Alphons) Bonde of Lake Zurich, IL, Dr. Therese (William) Weiser D.V.M. of Meridian, Idaho and Lawrence (Lisa Evans) Ritter of Gold Canyon, AZ. She also has 11 nieces and nephews and 18 great-nieces and great-nephews. The Ritter family would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to the staff at Shapiro Center for the support and care of Margaret over the years. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, August 11, 2016 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 18 Woodlawn Avenue, Joliet at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation Thursday morning, 10:30 a.m. until time of Memorial Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kankakee Association for the Mentally Retarded, 5901 Willow Court, Crystal, Lake, IL 60014. Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Roads, Joliet is assisting the family. For more information: (815) 741-5500.