READFIELD – Janet A. Ritzi of Readfield, passed away peacefully on Dec. 31, 2024, with family members by her side.

Janet was born Janet Ann White in Worcester, Massachusetts on Aug. 12, 1933. As a teenager she distinguished herself as a competitive swimmer and a lifeguard at Worcester’s public beach on Lake Quinsigamond. She always liked to remind family that many of the swimmers she defeated at swim meets went on to become members of the United States Olympic Team!

Janet attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst where she met her future husband, Charles “Chuck” Ritzi also of Worcester. The two were married in the Spring of 1954 and were soon off to great adventures in Europe as Chuck fulfilled his duty as an Armor Officer in the United States Army. 

Upon returning to the States, Janet and Chuck moved to Orono, Maine where Chuck pursued a master’s degree and Janet worked for the University of Maine’s Alumni Association.

Following Chuck’s completion of his studies, they relocated to Rangely, Maine where Chuck was employed by the State of Maine as a Field Biologist with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Several postings followed, taking them to Wilton and then to their final home in Readfield.

It was in Wilton, during the early 1960’s, that Janet realized her dream of starting a family when she and Chuck adopted two sons, Steven in 1961 and Kevin in 1963. 

Janet was a pioneer as a career woman entering the real estate field in 1971, first as an agent with Winthrop Real Estate and then starting her own business, Red Barn Real Estate, several years later. Always the professional, she was highly respected by her clients and her industry peers. She would earn the Graduate, REALTOR Institute (GRI) designation and go on to serve a term as President of the Kennebec Valley Board of REALTORS.

In the early 1980’s Janet made a career change, trading her real estate practice for handling the operations of her husband’s consulting business which was started following his retirement from the State of Maine.

Retirement for both Chuck and Janet came in the mid-1990’s when they sold their Readfield home and purchased a large motorhome. They traveled across the United States several times, including a drive to Alaska in 2004. They eventually became snowbirds, shuttling between Maine and Florida for many years. 

Janet was an avid fan of science, aviation and spaceflight. During her years in Florida, she made many friends at events sponsored by the Valient Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville, Fla., American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center. She often enjoyed the KSC “Astronaut Encounter” programs as well as rides in “warbird” retired military aircraft and tandem skydiving.

Janet and Chuck moved back to Maine, permanently, in 2013 to enjoy time with family and friends.

A devout Catholic her faith and family were everything to Janet. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her special joy. She was often asked for advice by family members and, in addition to providing her wisdom she would often add “I’ll work on that” which was her way of letting people know that she would be adding their challenges to her daily prayers.

One of the greatest compliments Janet would ever receive came as she was caring for Chuck during his fight with Lewey Body Syndrome. One day, after working through a particularly difficult problem he said to her, “Jannie, you can do anything!”.

Janet is survived by her two sons, Steven Ritzi of Tampa, Fla., Kevin Ritzi of Readfield; a brother George White of Rutland, Mass.; grandchildren, Lorraine Ritzi of Rockland; Stephanie Meserve of Falmouth, four great-grandchildren and other extended family members.

A funeral Mass will be held in Janet’s memory on Saturday, February 1, at 11 a.m., St. Augustine Catholic Church, 74 Northern Avenue, Augusta.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Roberts Funeral Home website http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated.