“A life without Diet Pepsi isn’t one worth living” – Kathy

Kathleen “Kathy” Ritter passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on February 10, 2021, at the young age of 75 years old from medical complications leading to respiratory failure.

She was a “New Year’s Baby” born the first child of Verneal and Edwin Jenkins in St. Louis. Kathy’s childhood was filled with dotings from her mother, gruff comments from her father, and occasional annoyances from her pesky little brother, Gary. She was quiet, shy, a “do-gooder” rule follower, devout Catholic, and was even May Queen at Aquinas. After high school, she attended community college and became a registered nurse.

The legacy of her twenties included nursing achievements, getting married, sipping swanky manhattans, and showboating her exceptional skills as a water skier. She could ski for hours, beat many opponents at “who could ski the longest” and once water skied nonstop from Pierre Marquette to Alton.

Kathy’s night shifts on the post-op floor at St. Mary’s were fueled by Diet Pepsi, cigarettes, and an occasional crazy story. Once she was working with a doctor who needed to do an emergency tracheotomy on a patient. He asked Kathy to tuck in his tie before he began the procedure. She quickly took his tie and then tucked it, not into his shirt, but instead into his pants. Caught off guard he exclaimed, “Don’t you have a husband at home?”. She did.

Kathy and Hank married and had three children; two daughters and a son. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times and In 1983 they divorced. Not long after Kathy’s emotional struggles began and depression would dog her intermittently for the rest of her life. It was rarely an easy road, but she bravely persistent and somehow made it through, always with a Diet Pepsi by her side.

Kathy could do many things. She raised three kids on a shoestring budget and worked nights to make ends meet all while managing her mental illness. Yet, she had a self-diagnosed “learning disability with mechanical things” like TVs, VCRs, and lawnmowers. Her home in Florissant had a sprawling acre of grass and there were several unforgettable moments with the lawnmower. Once in the middle of mowing it ran out of gas. She filled it up but forgot to put it in park. It came to life immediately and took off! Kathy was seen chasing the riderless mower through the yard until it crashed into the fence. Another time the mower needed oil. This time she had it in park, but forgot to put the oil cap back on. Minutes later she surprised her kids by coming into the house covered from head to toe in oil splatter.

The highlight reel of Kathy’s life is filled with loving times while raising her kids: ice skating, swimming at Bangert park, and annual trips to Grant’s Farm — along with precious moments with her mom. Kathy and Neal talked every day and enjoyed playing bingo, rummy cube, watching “Murder She Wrote” and attending community concerts.

Kathy had a great sense of humor and the absolute best laugh invariably followed by a “you’ll never believe this” story. In her 50’s, she embraced her passion for country line dancing and once was even featured on TV’s “Wild Country”. She thoroughly enjoyed company with friends and spending time with her grandkids too. She was not a fan of staying home. On many a day you could spy her daydreaming while driving and sipping a 44 ounce Diet Pepsi.

Kathy was a fighter and had an array of medical problems thrown at her. She survived breast cancer as well as a range of chronic, progressive medical disabilities. She was smart as a whip and because she was a nurse, was also a terrible patient. Despite the hand she was dealt, Kathy persevered.

We can be thankful that she is finally at peace with her best friend, her mother. We suspect Kathy’s enjoying some of Neal’s homemade cookies, a nice Diet Pepsi and a competitive game of rummy cube.

Kathy is survived by her children: Christina Ritter, John “Rocky” & Michelle Ritter, Emily & Doug Ross. Grandchildren: Henry & Ethan Ritter, Ian & Jackson Ross. Her Brother: Dr. Gary Jenkins, Suzzanne Rogge & Claire Jenkins.

Funeral Mass to be held on Thursday, March 4, 2021 • 9:30am at St. Mary Magdalen located at 2618 Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, MO 63144.

In lieu of flowers: donations to The December 5th Fund, www.december5th.org.

LIVE-STREAMED: For those wanting to watch the service online, it will be live-streamed at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfAO4RMZdtFMSyFesyonl2g