Georgene Ritter

Georgene Ann Ritter (Zerishnek), age 75, of Dawsonville, GA passed away peacefully and with family from a long battle with chronic kidney disease on March 7, 2024. Georgene was born on October 28, 1948, in Pittsburgh, PA daughter of the late George and Sophie Zerishnek (Skarupa). She was raised in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated with honors from Duquesne University with a degree in Education. It was at Duquesne where Georgene met her husband and the love of her life Eugene Jacob Ritter. Life took them many places after graduation including Maryland, West Virginia, New Jersey, Reading/Pittsburgh/Oakdale and Thorndale, Pennsylvania, Marietta/Macon/Cumming and Dawsonville, Georgia. Along the way she started and raised her family (5 children), pursued, and attained her master’s degree and worked several jobs to help provide for her family as nothing was beneath her to ensure that her children were able to attain their goals and interests. Georgene was always passionate about the value of education for her family and for all the children she interacted with over the years as a teacher. Those that were fortunate to know “Mom” routinely described her as a generous person with a big heart, slow to judge and quick to help, easy to talk to and grounded in her beliefs with the unique quality of being able to forgive and turn the other cheek. In short, the type of person that we all strive to be. Her greatest joy and prized possession were truly her FAMILY- her children, grandchildren, relatives and even friends. She left behind the following message to her children that is demonstrative of the value she placed on family- “ALWAYS- Remember- family is the most important thing that you have- or ever will!”

Family and educating aside, Georgene enjoyed the Holidays (Christmas in particular), Baking (she was known for her Christmas cookies), puzzles, computer games and reading. Her generous spirit led her to standing donations with many charities, but she was most passionate about St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 46 years, Gene, her daughter in law Kristin (Jason) Ritter and her brother Wayne (Kathy) Zerishnek. She is survived by her four sons, Gene (Tonia) Ritter, Eric (Autumn) Ritter, Jason (Kristin) Ritter and Matthew Ritter and by her daughter, Amanda (Danny) McKay; nine grandchildren, Rick Ritter, Christopher Ritter, Cooper Ritter, Adalyn Ritter, Hayley Kosar Ritter, Sophie Ritter, Emmy Ritter, Jacob McKay and Amelia McKay; brother Keith (Patty) Zerishnek, and sister-in-law Anna Ritter as well as nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 16th@ 10:00 AM at McDonald Family Funeral Homes located at 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 with a Celebration of Life to follow.

In lieu of meals, flowers or other donations the family would ask that all consider donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/get-involved/find-an-event/atlanta.html or to the American Kidney Fund https://www.kidneyfund.org