Remembering Joan

Joan L (Replogle) Ritchey, 77, of Martinsburg formerly of Woodbury, passed Feb. 24, 2021 at Conemaugh Memorial Center. She was the daughter of Jesse L. and Sara Kathyrn (Honsaker) Replogle and married Herbert Lee Ritchey June 18, 2000.

Ritchey was the secretary of Martinsburg Mennonite Church for 34 years. According to her brother Roger, she attended this church all her life.

Sons are Eric L. Ritchey wife Tina, Lincoln P. Ritchey wife Jeana and Patrick Richey. Grandchildren Tyler Ritchey wife Taylor, Dalton Ritchey, Ashley Ritchey, Darian Ritchey.

A beautiful memorial graveside service was held at Dry Hill Cemetery in Woodbury, officiated by Pastor Joe Furry Monday March 1, 2021.

Ritchey had two close friends since first grade where they attended school in Woodbury: Joan Detwiler and Joanne Stern. The friends all shared the same first name. Both women said that they never argued or had disagreements with each other.

They spoke of wonderful childhood memories at the Replogle farm, where they would often spend the night. Sara Kathryn made a big breakfast and waited for Jesse and everyone to sit down to eat. A ritual of praying took place, and the women explained they felt and got treated like family.

Danielle Kauffman was Joan's full-time caregiver about four years. She loved her position and talked about the great adventures she had with Joan on her golf cart. The golf cart adventure also took them to Nolt's Bargain Barn. Many days they would go to The Village Closet and Joan would shop for just the right outfit, with everything matching including the shoes.

Some days they would pick wildflowers along the road or stop at Martinsburg Mennonite Church, where her son Patrick planted the flowers and pick a few of them. Next, she would make vases of flowers and give them to the nurses for the nurse's station.

One day they went looking for a white robin after Joan had been told which street and tree it was in. To their delight, they found the robin.

Other days were spent making bracelets from beads and newspaper and other craft items to give away.

Joan was known to be a generous and caring person.

Each holiday, she had to have decorations inside and out and she loved putting them up.

Roger Replogle, Joan's brother, said, "She was like a mother to me. I could go to her with any problem and share with her."

She would listen to many people throughout her lifetime in the same fashion.

As a member of Martinsburg Church, I had the pleasure of seeing Joan each Sunday in church. She always met me with a smile and asked how I was doing. She did this for everyone. I will have great memories of her seated around her wonderful family each Sunday.

She always wore a matching outfit and loved to talk about where she had purchased it through the mail or at the Village Closet.

She will be in my memories and the memory of many others for years to come.

It has been an honor to know this wonderful person.