IT is with deep regret and with sincere sympathy for the many friends and pupils of our beloved associate and co-worker, Mrs. Nelvia E. Ritchie, C.S.B., that we report her passing on at her home in Chestnut Hill, Newton, Massachusetts, on Friday, May 7.
For many years Mrs. Ritchie served the Cause of Christian Science actively and faithfully. Since 1934 she had been a member of The Christian Science Board of Directors, having succeeded Mrs. Annie M. Knott in that position.
Mrs. Ritchie was born in Marion County, Iowa. She was educated in the schools of Kansas and Missouri. Mrs. Ritchie became interested in Christian Science through the healing of her husband, Alva Bradley Ritchie, of a serious illness. In 1907 Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie united in membership with The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, and with Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Kansas City, Missouri.
In 1913 Mrs. Ritchie was appointed Field Representative of The Christian Science Publishing Society, in which capacity she traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Cuba, the British Isles, and the Continent of Europe, addressing Christian Science branch churches and societies. Mrs. Ritchie served in this capacity seven years. During this time Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and became members of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sewickley. Both were active in that church, each of them having served as First Reader.
In June, 1925, Mrs. Ritchie was elected to membership on The Christian Science Board of Lectureship. While a member of that Board she lectured not only in the United States, but abroad and over a wider area than was covered in her field work for The Christian Science Publishing Society.
When the Escobar revolution broke out in Mexico, in 1929, Mrs. Ritchie and a companion were en route from Mexico City to the United States. Halted at San Luis Potosi, Mexico, a strategic rail center, they were cut off from the American border by rebel control of northern Mexico and surrounded by troop movements. Shortly after, they were able to make their way safely out of the country by plane, and she fulfilled a lecture engagement on schedule. Mrs. Ritchie and her companion were the first women to cross the border after the revolution started.
For more than thirty-four years Mrs. Ritchie was an advertised Christian Science practitioner. In 1928 she received instruction from the Board of Education of The Mother Church and became a recognized teacher of Christian Science.
Mr. Ritchie passed on in November, 1943. Mrs. Ritchie is survived by a sister, two brothers, and several nephews and nieces.
A simple and private memorial service was conducted by Thomas E. Hurley, First Reader of The Mother Church, at the home in Chestnut Hill, Newton, on Tuesday afternoon, May 11, at 4.30 o'clock, and was attended by The Christian Science Board of Directors and other close friends.
To those who had the privilege of knowing Mrs. Ritchie her loyalty to and love for the Cause of Christian Science, and her close adherence to the teachings of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, were outstanding and an example to all. Those who knew and loved her will find there can be no sense of loss or separation as they realize the verity of our dear Leader's statement: "God is Life; and as there is but one God, there can be but one Life. . . . Because God is ever present, no boundary of time can separate us from Him and the heaven of His presence; and because God is Life, all Life is eternal" (Unity of Good, p. 37).
