Obituary for Gwendolyn R. Ritchey
Our beautiful mother, Gwendolyn Ruth (Bolton) Ritchey, Johnstown (formally from Portage) was
promoted to glory January 8, 2022. She died peacefully surrounded by her children and
grandchildren singing her into Heaven. Born November 25, 1936 in Johnstown, PA the only
daughter of Frank and Pearl (Brant) Bolton. Proceeded in death by her parents, loving
husband of 48 years, Irvin L. Ritchey, (deceased 2005) and brother Thomas Bolton. Survived
by her 5 daughters Janet E. wife of Michael Melikant, Johnstown; Karen R. wife of Timothy
Timura, Reading; Laurie B., Johnstown; Nancy G., wife of Quinton Powell, Stoystown; and
Rebecca J., wife of Sean Graham, Holly Springs, NC. She loved spending time with her loving
grandchildren, Emily K. (Kenny) Zimmerman and children Chloe, Ryleigh, Kadyn; Krista M.
Todd and children Piper and Parker; Benjamin M. (Melissa) Melikant and son Deklan; Samuel
Timura; Libby Timura; Meghan (Austin) Ray; Matthew Powell; Gwendolyn Graham; and
Madelyn Powell. Sister of James Bolton; David (Barbara) Bolton; Gerald (Janice) Bolton;
Robert (Julia) Bolton; and Ronald (Glenda) Bolton. After high school she pursued her passion
for nursing by attending Conemaugh School of Nursing and worked in the field at Conemaugh
until health conditions made it impossible. Though her nursing career ended sooner than
planned, she continued caregiving into her 80s. Her nurturing nature was evident in every
aspect of her life and she lovingly gave her all with no regard to receiving. Above all else, was
her deep, abiding love of her Savior evident in a life well-lived. Her daily walk reflected God’s
love consistently and her Godly example and fervent prayers instilled that legacy of faith to her
children and their families. Her devotion to God drew her to serve Him as He called her to
various ministries throughout the changes and challenges life brought her way. She taught
Sunday school, supported missionaries, was an avid prayer warrior and reflected God’s great
grace in her day-to-day interactions. Most recently Mom continued to share God’s word
through Gideon Bible distributions and rarely missed a prayer breakfast or the many other
functions she joyously attended with the people she grew to love. She was especially blessed
to distribute Bibles to nursing student classes and always left them with a renewed spirit to
achieve their nursing goals. She recently attended her 64th nursing class reunion and never
missed her high school class reunions. She looked forward to attending monthly dinners with
her dear ICU/nursing friends with whom she worked some 30 years ago. She was a very
active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She loved to bake and kept a meticulous house.
Her love of chocolate and coffee were genetically evident in the entire Bolton clan and her
unique laugh was contagious. She loved doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, watching game
shows, and cross-stitching quilts which she made for each daughter, as well as each
grandchild and great grandchild. In earlier years mom was a kid at heart riding even the most
daring rollercoaster at various parks across Pennsylvania and Disney World. When dad lived,
they journeyed across America and made memories that mom held dear in the years following
dad’s passing. Friends will be received Thursday, January 13, 2022 10 am until time of service
at 12 pm at Emmanuel Church. Interment, Mount Moriah Cemetary, Blue Knob. As an
expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Gideon Bible Memorial Plan
in her name
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promoted to glory January 8, 2022. She died peacefully surrounded by her children and
grandchildren singing her into Heaven. Born November 25, 1936 in Johnstown, PA the only
daughter of Frank and Pearl (Brant) Bolton. Proceeded in death by her parents, loving
husband of 48 years, Irvin L. Ritchey, (deceased 2005) and brother Thomas Bolton. Survived
by her 5 daughters Janet E. wife of Michael Melikant, Johnstown; Karen R. wife of Timothy
Timura, Reading; Laurie B., Johnstown; Nancy G., wife of Quinton Powell, Stoystown; and
Rebecca J., wife of Sean Graham, Holly Springs, NC. She loved spending time with her loving
grandchildren, Emily K. (Kenny) Zimmerman and children Chloe, Ryleigh, Kadyn; Krista M.
Todd and children Piper and Parker; Benjamin M. (Melissa) Melikant and son Deklan; Samuel
Timura; Libby Timura; Meghan (Austin) Ray; Matthew Powell; Gwendolyn Graham; and
Madelyn Powell. Sister of James Bolton; David (Barbara) Bolton; Gerald (Janice) Bolton;
Robert (Julia) Bolton; and Ronald (Glenda) Bolton. After high school she pursued her passion
for nursing by attending Conemaugh School of Nursing and worked in the field at Conemaugh
until health conditions made it impossible. Though her nursing career ended sooner than
planned, she continued caregiving into her 80s. Her nurturing nature was evident in every
aspect of her life and she lovingly gave her all with no regard to receiving. Above all else, was
her deep, abiding love of her Savior evident in a life well-lived. Her daily walk reflected God’s
love consistently and her Godly example and fervent prayers instilled that legacy of faith to her
children and their families. Her devotion to God drew her to serve Him as He called her to
various ministries throughout the changes and challenges life brought her way. She taught
Sunday school, supported missionaries, was an avid prayer warrior and reflected God’s great
grace in her day-to-day interactions. Most recently Mom continued to share God’s word
through Gideon Bible distributions and rarely missed a prayer breakfast or the many other
functions she joyously attended with the people she grew to love. She was especially blessed
to distribute Bibles to nursing student classes and always left them with a renewed spirit to
achieve their nursing goals. She recently attended her 64th nursing class reunion and never
missed her high school class reunions. She looked forward to attending monthly dinners with
her dear ICU/nursing friends with whom she worked some 30 years ago. She was a very
active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She loved to bake and kept a meticulous house.
Her love of chocolate and coffee were genetically evident in the entire Bolton clan and her
unique laugh was contagious. She loved doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, watching game
shows, and cross-stitching quilts which she made for each daughter, as well as each
grandchild and great grandchild. In earlier years mom was a kid at heart riding even the most
daring rollercoaster at various parks across Pennsylvania and Disney World. When dad lived,
they journeyed across America and made memories that mom held dear in the years following
dad’s passing. Friends will be received Thursday, January 13, 2022 10 am until time of service
at 12 pm at Emmanuel Church. Interment, Mount Moriah Cemetary, Blue Knob. As an
expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Gideon Bible Memorial Plan
in her name
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