Jean F. Ritchie (Wilson) of Milton, age 95 passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, at Milton Hospital. She was born on February 28, 1930, in Dorchester to the late Peter A. Wilson and Isabelle Durland. She was the oldest of four siblings; the late Robert Wilson of Canton MA who was married to the late Janet (Jacobs) Wilson of Eastham, the late Charlotte Wilson and Caroline Hurley who was married to the late Richard Hurley.

Her fondest memories were of the time she lived on King Street in Dorchester. One day while attending the Mary Hemenway school, she had a surprise visitor. Chummy, her wire-haired fox terrier, snuck in and managed to find her and hid under her desk. He was so quiet only the other children noticed and kept giggling every time he wagged his tiny tail. The teacher finally noticed and said, “Jean Ritchie you take that dog home right now!” So off they went, but not home. She only lived a block from the school but decided to take the long way home, in the opposite direction. They had a wonderful time going to Codman Square and eventually to Ogar’s Drugstore for an ice cream cone they shared while sitting on the curb. She eventually went back to school after taking Chummy home. School was almost over by then

Chummy was a big part of her childhood. Her father had tied him to the Christmas tree when she was almost three years old. They took one look at each other and down went the tree. He went everywhere with her, including taking her to school and having to be sent home by the crossing guard. He was a master escape artist. He probably learned it from her. She would leave him home or at her grandparents and somehow, he would be waiting for her outside the stores or movie theater. Eventually they discovered he was using the coal chute.

The greatest tragedy of her life was when she lost her uncle, Wallace Durland, a member of the merchant marines. While with her grandmother Lottie Wilson a telegram came with the terrible news about the Port Chicago Ammunitions Explosion. It had taken the port, two Liberty Ships, and her uncle along with hundreds of other men. She never got over his loss. She would speak of him often and usually end up in tears. She said she was glad she had been there for her grandmother, who by that time was using two canes due to rheumatoid arthritis.

In 1943 Jean’s parents bought a home on Valley Rd in Milton where she met George F. Ritchie and eventually married him on January 11, 1948. They were best of friends and happily married for 53 years, probably because dad let her run the show. They had four children; Donald Ritchie of Milton who was married to the late Jane Nighan, Judith A Geiger of Port St. Lucie, FL who was married to the late Howard L Geiger, David Ritchie and his wife Susan Walsh of Eastham and Janet Ritchie of Milton. Jean was blessed with three Grandchildren; Pamela Geiger of Port St. Lucie, FL, the late Jeffrey Geiger, and Liza Nighan of Milton.

In 1948, with a gift from her grandmother, Jean and George used it as a down-payment on a home in Weymouth, MA. Jean didn’t like living on a swamp. Donald and Judy were constantly getting throat infections or colds and the metal furniture was rusting. So, they didn’t stay long but were able to profit from the sale and moved back to Milton in 1951. They bought a two-family on Avalon Rd. It was in walking distance of both of their parents. Jean didn’t like managing a two-family but again made a profit. One more time they moved. Still in Milton, they bought 15 Bailey Ave in 1954. For them it was the perfect location. They never moved again.

Jean was an avid reader of mysteries. She would bring home four books at a time from the library and be back for more in a few days. Her love for animals continued and the family always had a dog, a cat or two, fish and hamsters that always seemed to escape their cage only to get stuck behind the bathroom radiator. Jean loved the beach and she would load Plymouth with her children and their cousins and friends to Nantasket Beach. There was always a jug full of ice-cold lemonade or Hawaiian Punch and enough peanut butter and jelly or fluff sandwiches to keep everyone happy. In the summer she would offer the neighborhood boys crew cuts, much to their mothers' relief.

Jean was always happy to drive to Canton and pick up her brother Robert’s children: Lauren and Charles ‘Chucka’ after school because Robert and Jan sometimes had to work late. Jean always served dinner by 5pm. Lauren and Chucky were supposed to wait till they were home for their dinner. That never stopped Mom from making enough for everyone.

Her sister Carolyn Hurley was living in Indiana and raised four children; Richard, Janet, Peter and Patricia. After giving birth to Patricia, Carolyn was ill for a time. Jean took Patricia home to Milton until her sister was well, while her husband, Richard, watched the older children. I can’t remember how long that was for but Mom said I was very upset when they took my baby away.

While Howie Geiger was still in the navy, with Judy and the kids in tow, he was relocated to the naval base in Dunoon Scotland for three years. Jean wasn’t going to miss a chance to travel and see her family. She had a wonderful time being with her grandchildren and touring the country. In her retirement, Jean was finally able to continue her travels, dragging homebody George along, who secretly enjoyed it. They went on an Alaskan cruise with Judy and Howie and their life-long friends James and Barbara Balfe, Mary Colligan and Alice Yankowski. They had so much fun they took the Bermuda cruise together. Done with cruises, all the friends toured San Francisco and Ireland together.

Professionally, Jean waited until her children were all working or attending school before she began her career. She worked for the Milton Public Schools for 20 years. She worked in every school but eventually became head cook at the High School. Personally, it was great being able to just wander into the kitchen to say Hi to Mom and grab an extra slice of pizza while attending school. While working for the Milton Public Schools, Jean was also the weekend cook for a 60-bed nursing home. After retiring from both jobs for a few years, she became bored and went back to working in the High School as a cashier. She did that for close to ten years.

During the last few years Jean had met some wonderful people through the Visiting Nurses, Hospice and the staff at Milton Hospital. If it wasn’t for them, she would not have done as well as she did. I’m glad she had wonderful people around her and she could share her stories and sense of humor. I have tried to remember everyone’s name, but I fear I have missed more than a few. Thank you, Janine, Nancy and Maria for getting mom moving and feeling better after her hospital stays. Thank you for finding Susan for us. Thank you, Val for helping mom with her vertigo. Thank you, Maureen and Maria for keeping me calm and mom happy. Thank you, Ivena I see how much you care about the people you help. Susan Bosworth we could not have done it without you. Keeping mom clean, hydrated, moving and laughing. Eventually taking on the cooking for me was a huge help. Mom would say to David, “Food just magically appears in front of me.” Thank you for the hugs.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home 326 Granite Ave Milton Monday January 5th at 11:00 am.  Visiting hour prior to the service Monday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 am.  Burial will follow the service at Milton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Milton Animal League 728 Randolph Ave Milton, MA 02186