Dorothy Catherine Ritenour

Dorothy Catherine Stine Ritenour, 89, of Woodstock, passed away Sunday, April 18, 2021 at her home. Mrs. Ritenour was born February 9, 1932 at Opequon, Frederick County, Virginia, a daughter of the late Allen James Stine and Elizabeth Lupton Stine. She was married to her late husband Ralph (Bill) Ritenour in 1950. Surviving is one son, Lester Allen Ritenour (Barbara) of Winchester; grandchildren Laura M. Ritenour of Richmond, Matthew A. Ritenour (Kelsey) of Winchester, Joshua Ritenour (Karen) of Strasburg and Tiffany Lewis (Zav) of Richmond; also, seven great grandchildren who were so loved by her, Solaiyah, Quiniyah, WynZavian II, Jordyn, Lydia, Audrey and Eva. Mrs. Ritenour is preceded in death by a son, Stanley Lee Ritenour and three sisters, Mary Virginia Keiper, Ethel L. Hunsicker and Frances Ann Walker. She was a 1949 graduate of Toms Brook High School and Shenandoah Business College. She retired from the Shenandoah County School System, having worked 30 years in the Administrative Office of the Superintendent of Schools. She was a faithful member of Zion Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where she served her church over the years as a pianist, choir member, Sunday School teacher and Clerk of the Board. Mrs. Ritenour enjoyed singing in the Lebanon-St. Stephens Community Choir for twenty years, a former SMH Hospital volunteer in the gift shop and a docent at Belle Grove Plantation for many years. She was a 50+ year member of Woodstock Chapter #93 Order of the Eastern Star (now Spurmont Chapter #177) Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Christian Church Building Fund, c/o Cindy D. Wright, 364 Zion Church Road, Maurertown, VA 22644. At her request, services will be private. Friends may pay their respects on Thursday, April 22, from 9:00 am-5:00 pm at Valley Funeral Service in Edinburg. The family of Dorothy would like to thank the following for their care and concern during her long and hard-fought battle. Without the love and support of Dorothy's village of loved ones, we would not have been able to keep her close by in her own home and surrounded by her loved ones. Dorothy’s favorite poet Helen Steiner Rice, wrote a poem that summed up the love and presence we felt from loved ones and strangers during this difficult time. Please take a second to read God’s Messengers. Many thanks and blessings to the individuals that assisted her through the pandemic and covid such as Dot S., Cindy W., Sandy K., Kathy C., Don S., and her neighbors. Valley Health Home Care and Nurse Sheena. Cork Street Rehab and her therapist Heba. Blue Ridge Hospice and her CNA Jennifer. Heart Failure Clinic and her PA Marie. Shenandoah Hospital ICU Team and her social worker Joanne. Most importantly the individuals that stepped up after her last hospitalization so that we could bring her home with 24/7 support. Without these angels, we would not have been blessed with the ability to celebrate one last earthly Easter with our Dot Dot and hold her close over the last month. These individuals not only showed great love to our Dot Dot but also held us up as we witnessed her final transition. Thank you so much to Nancy, Jeanette, Dolly, Sharon, and the Funkhouser's. The people Dorothy touched throughout her 89 years really came through for her and her family during the hardest moments over the last couple of months and were true blessings to all of us. Thank you for loving her and us. God’s Messengers By: Helen Steiner Rice The unexpected kindness from an unexpected place, A hand outstretched in friendship, a smile on someone’s face, A word of understanding spoken in a time of trail Are unexpected miracles that make life more worthwhile. We know not how it happened that in our hour of need Somebody out of nowhere proved to be a friend indeed… For God has many messengers we fail to recognize, But He sends them when we need them, and His ways are wondrous and wise… So keep looking for your angel and keep listening to hear, For on life’s busy, crowded streets, you will find God’s presence near.

Dorothy Catherine Ritenour

February 9, 1932 - April 18, 2021