Helen (Luchik) Ritz

Helen (Luchik) Ritz, age 93, of Greenville, SC, formerly of Pgh., on Tuesday June 6, 2017;  Beloved wife of the late George J. Ritz; mother of Donald, Barry (Nancy) and Patricia Ritz; Grandmother of Erin, Emily, Taryn and Tessa; Daughter of the late John and Anna Luchik; Sister of the late Mary Luchik, Michael Luchik, Anna Luchik, Julia Beshenich and George Luchik.  Helen was a 1941 graduate with honors of David B. Oliver High School, where she wrote in her yearbook her life goal was "to travel around the world" and to meet "a tall, handsome gentleman with humor."  Helen was an early career woman working as a secretary for the Rahauser, VanderVoort and Royston law firm, and the president of Donohoe's Specialty Grocery Store.  She met her tall, handsome, humorous husband George Ritz on a blind date and was married in 1948.  George's chemical engineering career realized Helen's dream of traveling around the world.  From Pittsburgh they lived in St. Louis (MO), Little Rock (AR), St. Petersburg (FL), Boston (MA), The Hague, Holland, London, England, Cleveland (OH), Mexico City, Mexico and then retired to Greenville (SC).  Pleasure trips included:  Alaska, Australia, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Greece, Hawaii, Jamaica, Tasmania, Turkey, and points throughout the US.  Helen's most valued trip was to Radvan, in Carpathian Slovakia where she visited her Rusyn parents' homeland and extended family.  Helen loved nature, dancing, poetry, collecting memorabilia of her family, travels and cultural events.  She was a cherished daughter, sister, wife/homemaker of 53 years, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.  Helen never forgot her roots; she was proud to be laid to rest in the Smoky City.