Barbara Ann Ritucci

This woman was LOVED. And she loved hard in return. She had SO much love to give, and those lucky enough to know her got to bask in it. She was genuine, kind, funny as hell, and big-hearted. She touched so many lives, and she didn’t even realize it.

Barbara loved playing games - board games, card games, car games, made-up games, acting games. She was up for anything, and always with a little sass talk on deck.

When her daughter turned 18, she built a walk-in voting booth in the living room, complete with a ballot to be filled out that included a proposition to extend her curfew.

She made the greatest pasta sauce in the known universe, made any plant thrive, and gave the absolute best hugs. Her sense of awe and wonder was almost unparalleled, and telling her interesting or exciting news was an amazing experience as a result.

One might say she was survived by family, but really, there were many more people that she affected in this life. With love and laughter, with bravery and thoughtfulness, with creativity and heart.

If you want to do something to honor Barbara, just be kind to each other.  

There will be a small family gathering in Pennsylvania.