Norma Ritter

Norma Ritter passed away peacefully on November 1. 2025 at the age of 97. She is survived by three daughters, two grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren with a great-great grandson due in January. She is the fourth of five children of parents, Seldon and Goldie Spotswood, and spent her childhood in Pomona, California graduating from Pomona High School in 1946.

Norma was active at Pomona First Baptist Church where she met her future husband, Charles Ritter. Norma and Charles were married in August 1946. Their first daughter, Ellen, was born in January 1948 and attended her father’s college graduation in 1949.

In 1957 Norma moved with her family to San Diego while her husband completed his engineering degree. Norma was a homemaker who kept busy with church activities and raising three daughters. In 1961 the family moved to Santa Barbara when Charles was transferred to Vandenberg Air Force Base, where he worked for General Dynamics until retiring in 1986.

In retirement Norma and Charles enjoyed traveling. They acquired an RV and made their maiden trip to the World’s Fair in Canada. They made multiple trips to New England in the Fall and they also took their motorhome to Yosemite National Park every year for two weeks in the Spring and two weeks in the Fall. They also traveled internationally visiting England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Germany, Austria, and France. Norma documented each trip with photographs and narratives which were beautifully arranged into albums. As they got along in years, they sold their motorhome and continued to enjoy Santa Barbara. Charles and Norma went on breakfast dates almost everyday to restaurants around Santa Barbara and Montecito.

Norma was a sweet, gentle and loving woman whose warmth touched all who knew her. After nearly 75 years of marriage, Charles passed away in 2021. She had many wonderful friendships that continued with visits and lunch outings. During the last two years of her life, she enjoyed her wheelchair rides around the neighborhood, where she could still name most flowers and trees. She especially loved spending time with her only granddaughter, Carrie, and her great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

Norma was a member of Living Faith Church.