Janet, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend left her earthly body to be with God on Monday, September 14, 2009 after a courageous 19 year battle with illness. She was surrounded by family as she passed away at her home in Valparaiso, Florida. She is survived by Robert, her husband of nearly 42 years and her two sons Paul and John. Her other family members include her two brothers James and Larry Ritchie; her two beloved grandchildren Natalie and Theodore; and daughter-in-law Veronica.
Born Janet Lee Ritchie in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the first child of Walter and Marion Ritchie. Jan grew up near the orange groves of Ft. Myers, Florida, which led to her profound love of the environment, including nature, gardening and most of all flowers. This love would manifest itself within Jan later in life as she became an artist, traveler and independent spirit.
In Birmingham, Alabama she met her soul mate and fellow adventurer Robert G. Cross. They were married October 14, 1967. Her love and commitment as a wife has served as an inspiration to all that knew her. She especially enjoyed the freedom of travel. Together they would go to every corner of America, in search of adventure, the unknown and the profound beauty and color of our world.
In 1968 she moved to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and had two sons, Paul and John. Later, the family moved to Valparaiso, Florida where she raised her sons along the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay. She instilled in her sons the love of a mother, the lessons of a teacher and the wisdom of a sage. She provided all of her family with the kind of warmth and comfort that nurtures the mind, body and spirit. She enjoyed leisure sailing. She was a founding member of the Niceville-Valparaiso Junior Women’s club.
She was a wonderfully gifted studio artist in many disciplines. Her education as an artist started with a scholarship to Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida and ended 30 years later at the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda honors society. She was a painter, potter, weaver and craftswoman. Like the great masters, she saw potential and beauty in all things, using her artistic vision to create and inspire.
Born Janet Lee Ritchie in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the first child of Walter and Marion Ritchie. Jan grew up near the orange groves of Ft. Myers, Florida, which led to her profound love of the environment, including nature, gardening and most of all flowers. This love would manifest itself within Jan later in life as she became an artist, traveler and independent spirit.
In Birmingham, Alabama she met her soul mate and fellow adventurer Robert G. Cross. They were married October 14, 1967. Her love and commitment as a wife has served as an inspiration to all that knew her. She especially enjoyed the freedom of travel. Together they would go to every corner of America, in search of adventure, the unknown and the profound beauty and color of our world.
In 1968 she moved to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and had two sons, Paul and John. Later, the family moved to Valparaiso, Florida where she raised her sons along the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay. She instilled in her sons the love of a mother, the lessons of a teacher and the wisdom of a sage. She provided all of her family with the kind of warmth and comfort that nurtures the mind, body and spirit. She enjoyed leisure sailing. She was a founding member of the Niceville-Valparaiso Junior Women’s club.
She was a wonderfully gifted studio artist in many disciplines. Her education as an artist started with a scholarship to Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida and ended 30 years later at the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda honors society. She was a painter, potter, weaver and craftswoman. Like the great masters, she saw potential and beauty in all things, using her artistic vision to create and inspire.
Janet, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend left her earthly body to be with God on Monday, September 14, 2009 after a courageous 19 year battle with illness. She was surrounded by family as she passed away at her home in Valparaiso, Florida. She is survived by Robert, her husband of nearly 42 years and her two sons Paul and John. Her other family members include her two brothers James and Larry Ritchie; her two beloved grandchildren Natalie and Theodore; and daughter-in-law Veronica.
Born Janet Lee Ritchie in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the first child of Walter and Marion Ritchie. Jan grew up near the orange groves of Ft. Myers, Florida, which led to her profound love of the environment, including nature, gardening and most of all flowers. This love would manifest itself within Jan later in life as she became an artist, traveler and independent spirit.
In Birmingham, Alabama she met her soul mate and fellow adventurer Robert G. Cross. They were married October 14, 1967. Her love and commitment as a wife has served as an inspiration to all that knew her. She especially enjoyed the freedom of travel. Together they would go to every corner of America, in search of adventure, the unknown and the profound beauty and color of our world.
In 1968 she moved to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and had two sons, Paul and John. Later, the family moved to Valparaiso, Florida where she raised her sons along the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay. She instilled in her sons the love of a mother, the lessons of a teacher and the wisdom of a sage. She provided all of her family with the kind of warmth and comfort that nurtures the mind, body and spirit. She enjoyed leisure sailing. She was a founding member of the Niceville-Valparaiso Junior Women’s club.
She was a wonderfully gifted studio artist in many disciplines. Her education as an artist started with a scholarship to Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida and ended 30 years later at the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda honors society. She was a painter, potter, weaver and craftswoman. Like the great masters, she saw potential and beauty in all things, using her artistic vision to create and inspire.
Born Janet Lee Ritchie in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the first child of Walter and Marion Ritchie. Jan grew up near the orange groves of Ft. Myers, Florida, which led to her profound love of the environment, including nature, gardening and most of all flowers. This love would manifest itself within Jan later in life as she became an artist, traveler and independent spirit.
In Birmingham, Alabama she met her soul mate and fellow adventurer Robert G. Cross. They were married October 14, 1967. Her love and commitment as a wife has served as an inspiration to all that knew her. She especially enjoyed the freedom of travel. Together they would go to every corner of America, in search of adventure, the unknown and the profound beauty and color of our world.
In 1968 she moved to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and had two sons, Paul and John. Later, the family moved to Valparaiso, Florida where she raised her sons along the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay. She instilled in her sons the love of a mother, the lessons of a teacher and the wisdom of a sage. She provided all of her family with the kind of warmth and comfort that nurtures the mind, body and spirit. She enjoyed leisure sailing. She was a founding member of the Niceville-Valparaiso Junior Women’s club.
She was a wonderfully gifted studio artist in many disciplines. Her education as an artist started with a scholarship to Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida and ended 30 years later at the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda honors society. She was a painter, potter, weaver and craftswoman. Like the great masters, she saw potential and beauty in all things, using her artistic vision to create and inspire.
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