Helmi Lillian ‘Lillie’ Ritz, 91, of N. Maple St., Gwinn, and former Ann Arbor, MI and Florida resident, passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, September 22, 2017 at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living Facility with her loving sister and niece at her side and under the care of U.P. Home Health & Hospice.
Lillie was born May 7, 1926 in Trenary to Arthur and Ida (Usitalo) Paloheimo, and graduated from Gwinn High School, Class of 1944. Following school she moved to Ann Arbor, working as an accountant for the University of Michigan. She retired in May of 1988 with over 40 years of service with the University. After retirement Lillie and her husband moved to Clearwater, FL, where she lived until moving back to Gwinn in 2013 to live with her sister, Ida.
Mrs. Ritz was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Clearwater, FL. In her spare time she enjoyed traveling, reading and was an avid fan of University of Michigan Athletics, being a season ticket holder of various sports teams.
Surviving are her sister, Ida Juidici of Gwinn; special niece, Ruth (Michael) Forgette of Gwinn; and several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Antoni Ritz in 2004; and sisters: Saima Fausch, Ilona Holt and Dorothy Paloheimo.
Honoring Lillie’s wishes, private family services will be held in the spring in Ann Arbor.
Lillie’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the caring staff at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living and Sherry Juidici for their compassionate care.