Virginia Lee Ritt

Virginia Lee Ritt, peacefully passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023, in Chino Hills, California home.  Virginia was born on August 19, 1935 in Attica, Indiana.  She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Rebecca (Ritt)  and Ken Rhoads, Scott and Carol Ritt, and Ben Ritt and Kathy Knighton.  She is also survived by her loving grandchildren: Dustin and Kim Rhoads, and Julianne Rhoads and Milo DiPaola, and by her cherished great grandchildren:  Oliver Rhoads and Ruby Rhoads. 
 Her life is one that should be chronicled for the ages – an inspiring story of resiliency, mystery, discovery, adventure, and love against a backdrop of chronic health challenges. She brightly colored outside the lines.  And she sought and mentored others to do the same.
 Virginia’s life began with a gracious gift from her birth mother, who gave her up for adoption to her loving parents, Edward and Fern (Peneton) McGlothlin.  The decision and adoption was completed with a note on the back of an envelope – “these people can have my baby”.  Those wonderful people raised Virginia and her (deceased) brother, Edward Furrer of Indiana. 
Virginia (‘Ginny McGlothlin’) graduated from high school in Lafayette and was married to Louis Charles Ritt (a Purdue student) for 33 years. Her whirlwind and adventurous life enjoyed 3 children, 23 different home addresses and many countries, remote adventures and cultures.  Her travels and adventures took her to many regions in the Middle East, The Mediterranean and North Africa, China, Europe, Asia, North and South America and with memorable experiences in the pristine regions of Alaska and the Amazon. 
She inspired us all with her stories and her encouragement to lean forward, stretch out, and take risks. She was a “go big or go home”  advocate who was before her time.  She identified with a vagabond spirit and life.
 This was a challenge as her body started to rebel.  And rebel it did – with pain management being her focus in her final years.  And still – undaunted – she was a warrior.  You could always count on straight talk – and a challenge in your thinking – whenever you conversed with Virginia.
 Her adventure came full circle just a few years ago when she learned that she had a birth-sister through modern DNA testing.  It united the sisters and gave them an opportunity to learn, and fill in the blanks, learning about history and heritage – over 80 years later. 
 She is now without pain. Resting peacefully. May her friends and family find comfort and joy in the cherished memories they hold dear. 
 A celebration of life will be scheduled after the Holidays in California.
Tippecanoe Funeral & Cremation  Services is honored to assist the family with local arrangements.