Ghislaine Macary Ritts Obituary (1937

Ghislaine Macary Ritts, born in 1937 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, passed away peacefully on 23 October 2024 after a long, slow decline, at the age of 87. She left this world quietly and painlessly, surrounded by the love of her family. Ghislaine met her future husband, Vince, while he was stationed in Haiti as an Army pilot on a mission to map the island. Despite the language barrier--she spoke no English and he spoke no French--they found a way to communicate and build a life together. A woman of remarkable bravery and strength, Ghislaine left behind her family, friends, and the vibrant Caribbean world she knew to start anew in the United States. She learned English, adapted to American customs, and embraced her roles as a mother and an Army officer's wife with unwavering determination. There were no instruction manuals or how-to guides, just her sheer willpower and resilience. During the 1960s, while Vince served two tours in Vietnam, Ghislaine single-handedly cared for her two pre-teen sons and two younger daughters. She was more than just a mother; she was our hero. Rest in peace, Mom. Your legacy of love, strength, and courage will forever be in our hearts. We will always love you. * Donations: Instead of flowers, please send donations to the "National Military Family Association", https://www.militaryfamily.org/ which was founded by military wives who wanted to ensure their widowed friends were properly cared for ... or to "Hospice of the Chesapeake, Pasadena https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/ who took great care of Ghislaine in her final days.