Obituary of Katherine Janet Ritch

Katherine Janet Ritch, Ph.D. Janet passed away peacefully at the age of 59 on Friday, December 12, 2014, after courageously resisting cancer for several years. She had three families and a multitude of friends, having combined academic accomplishment and social justice work with an impish sense of humour over her too-short life. Predeceased by adoptive parents Nancy (née Mills) and Gerry Ritch, and sister Heather, she is greatly missed by brother-in-law Layne Ward; cousins Wendy (Jim) Balfour and Eric (Lynn Hutchinson Lee) Mills and Geoffrey (Joanne) Mills; cousins Alistair Sweeny, Margot Sweeny and Shelagh Starr; stepsisters Susan Taylor and Robin Taylor Precious, and stepbrothers Norman, Brian and Ian Taylor. Fortunate to reunite in later life with mother Elizabeth Boyd, now deceased, Janet is also missed by aunt Joan Marie Boyd and cousins including Ron and Beth Boyd, Steve and Rick Ireland, and Cameron and Jennifer Taylor. Janet's families thank staff and volunteers at Kensington Hospice, and her many devoted friends and caregivers. Her life will be celebrated on Friday, January 30, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. in the CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER (Avenue Road and Bloor), followed by a funeral service on Saturday, January 31, at 11 a.m. in Mount Pleasant Cemetery's Visitation Centre. Contributions can be made online to the Kensington Hospice at www.kensingtonhealth.org or by cheque to Anishnawbe Health Toronto. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.