Joan Evans Ritchie, resident of Albuquerque since 1955, made a peaceful transition from
mortality to eternal life surrounded by a legacy of love wrought through a life of selfless service
to family and friends. Her passing was on March 11, 2019 at the age of 84.

Joan Ritchie is survived by Lynn T. Ritchie, her devoted husband of 65 years. Their eternal
journey together began when they were sealed to each other in the Idaho Falls temple of the
Church of Jesus Christ on April 21, 1954.

Arriving in Albuquerque with her husband, and a nursing degree in 1955, she was dismayed by
the high desert and the lack of color. She came to realize that brown is an actual color that comes
in countless hues; the contrast making each individual flower and green bud precious and of
great worth. Her love was as water to the desert, and the seeds she planted reached deep when
nourished, establishing a firm rooted legacy of five children; Lynn Paul Ritchie, Wendy Ritchie
Brown, Kent Tarleton Ritchie, Karen Ritchie, Marshall J. Ritchie, 15 grandchildren, and 21 great
grandchildren.

When her children were grown, she returned to school to obtain a master's degree from the
University of New Mexico in art therapy, dedicating many years to restoring joy and vitality to
those feeling cast off and forgotten. Everyone has a story to tell and Joan tried to help them find
their voice.

Joan's greatest love was her family and she sacrificed many resources and much time
coordinating family reunions, holiday festivities, and making sure that all were fed. She had a
great love for the beauty of the earth that surrounded her. As a result, all flowers remind her
posterity of her. All things beautiful confirm that there is a God in heaven and that we are His
children. In short, she came to the desert and made it blossom as a rose.

Services will be held Saturday, March 23, 2019. Viewing at Flamm Funeral Home from 11:00
to 11:30 with graveside memorial 12:00 noon at Sugar City Cemetery in Rexburg Idaho.