RITZ HELEN (LUCHIK) Age 93, of Greenville, SC, formerly of Pgh., on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. Beloved wife of the late George J.; 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, Michael, Anna and George Luchik and Julia Beshenich. 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. Friends received THURSDAY ONLY from 10 a.m. until time of the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. at the THOMAS P. KUNSAK FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3552 California Ave. at Davis Ave., Pgh., PA 15212. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
