Obituary of Dolores D. Ritter

Dolores (D'Ippolito) Ritter, 90 of Vineland passed away Saturday June 9, 2018 in the Inspira Medical Center in Vineland after a brief illness. Dolores was born on July 5, 1927 at Newcomb Hospital, the only child of Henry P. and Ella (Saulino) D'Ippolito. As a child, Dolores loved to roller skate at the rink on South Seventh Street. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, in 1944 at the age of 16. Shortly thereafter, at the Phil Nutt Dance Studio on Columbia Avenue, Dolores met Warren A. Ritter of West Garden Road. In May, 1945 Dolores became a 17-year-old war bride, marrying Warren at the Base Chapel at Parris Island South Carolina, days before Warren's Marine Corps Unit was shipping out. Dolores was active in the Sacred Heart Grammar School P.T.A. serving as a vice president. She also served as President of the Vineland Marine Corps League Woman's Auxiliary. Dolores was a leader of various departments of the Vineland Junior Woman's Club and was the Club Treasurer. She also represented the Vineland area, for a number of years, on the Cumberland County Home Economics Extension Advisory Council. Dolores was a member of the Woman's Club of Vineland for more than 55 yers. She served as Chairperson of the Literature and International Relations Departments, and as Recording and Federation Secretary. Dolores was a seasoned world traveler, who liked to say that her theme song was "I've been everywhere, man." She visited all seven continents, sailed all seven seas, traveled to Europe 43 times and visited all 50 states and a total of 101 countries. She also enjoyed 43 cruises. Dolores and Warren took their grandchildren on annual Summer trips to many far-flung destinations, including Australia, Russia, Alaska, Europe, Hawaii and the Middle East. Dolores' hobbies included genealogy, through which she traced the Saulino, D'Ippolito, Benson and Ritter family lines back to the 1600's. She also collected Christmas tree ornaments from around the world, loved sewing and knitting. She was a voracious reader for her entire life. She loved watching "Jeopardi" on T.V. and she was a dynamite "Trivial Pursuit" player. Warren predeceased Dolores in April, 1998. Surviving Dolores are daughter, Norene A. Ritter of Vineland, son and daughter-in-law, Theodore Henry and Jean S. Ritter, of Upper Deerfield Township, grandson, Matthew Warren Ritter (Erica), of Hopewell Township, granddaughter, Cassie Ritter Hunt (Greg) of Roanoke, Virginia, and five great-grandchildren: Conner R. Hunt, Max Busnardo, Katie Hunt, Leo Ritter and Zoe Ritter. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews and cousins.