Obituary of Vicki Sue Ritchie

Vicki Sue Ritchie, age 60, left this earth on May 26, 2020 to go soar with the angels. Vicki was born May 11, 1960 as the first child of Keith and Dawn Ritchie. She was a loving, caring and sometimes stubborn person. Vicki attended school in Searsport and then transferred to the Henderson School in Camden. She graduated from there in 1980. She then attended Coastal Opportunities in Camden. While there she learned how to navigate life. She worked at Coastal in the bulk mailing room and the redemption center. In 1997 she was hired at Reny’s in Camden. This was a job she really enjoyed and took great pride in. Vicki participated in the Special Olympics from 1976-2010. In those 34 years of participation, she earned 15 gold medals, 32 silver medals, 20 bronze medals and 100 ribbons for 3-6 place. In 1977 she was chosen as a delegate for the first International Winter Olympics and traveled to Steamboat Springs, CO. It was there she met Olympic skier Billy Kidd. Vicki worked hard at swimming and running, but it was the games closing ceremony party that she enjoyed the most. She got to spend time with friends, old and new, and dance the night away. Her favorite summer event was going to Pine Tree Camp. She anxiously waited for this every year. She wanted to go to camp more than attend her parents 50th anniversary party. Here again, she could enjoy all her friends and dance the night away before returning home. Vicki traveled a lot with her group home families and her family -- camping trips to Santa’s Village, The Baseball Hall of Fame, bus tours to Canada, a Caribbean cruise and a trip to NH to see Cher in concert. In 2002 Vicki had a stroke. She went to Maine Center for Integrated Rehab in Rockland from 2003-2020. Their excellent work gave her the opportunity to walk again. They were able to work with her and get her to do things she would not do for her family, In 2007 Vicki went to live at the BLFI group home of Sonja Burns. Sonja was a wonderful caregiver, and Vicki was able to stay there to the end of her life. Thank you to Sonja for all you did for her and her family, especially those last 2 days. Vicki loved her family and truly cherished coming home for special events and holidays. She required more care after her stroke and the family pitched in to do all they could. Niya Hink had a special bond with her. She would help her complete word search puzzles, assist with meals and help with any other task needed. Thank you for all that everyone did to help. Vicki is survived by her parents, Keith and Dawn Ritchie of Searsport, sister Terri Flannery and her husband Steven of Northport, brother Todd Ritchie and his wife Brenda of Stockton Springs, niece Melissa Hink and husband Chris and their daughters Alaura and Niya, nephew David Gordon and his wife Trisha of Newport, niece Megan Bacon and husband Josh and their children, Alexis and Nicholas and nephew Kyle Ritchie and wife Melanie and their children Landon and Kamryn. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation be mailed to Maine Special Olympics, 125 John Roberts Road #5, South Portland, ME 04106. Graveside services will be held on July 18th, 2pm at Oak Hill Cemetery in Winterport followed by a celebration of life at 107 Cider Mill Lane in Swanville.