Obituaries
Lesa Corbin Ritter
( February 16, 1965 - May 21, 2017 )
Lesa Corbin Ritter, 52, of Lincolnton, NC completed her 15 month marathon with gallbladder cancer on Sunday, May 21.
We will forever remember as the fun-loving Queen of her girlfriends, fulfilling her dream as a mother, and serving as a dedicated educator and advocate for children. Lesa lived her life with sparkle until her flame flickered out. We cannot imagine a world without her in it.
Born February 16, 1965, in DuBois, PA to Howard and Becky Corbin of Lincolnton who both preceded her in death, she lived the first 11 years of her life in Western PA before the Corbin family moved to Labans Lane in Lincolnton in 1976. Her childhood was filled with days at the Country Club pool, Girl Scout camp, teaching swimming lessons, and babysitting.
She graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1983 and attended Peace College, class of 1985, then Greensboro College, class of 1987. She met her husband, William Ritter, in 1988 when their paths crossed because of a speeding ticket and they wed in 1989. Their daughter Ashton was born in 1990 and son Ross followed in 1995. As a child, she always answered the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with "A mom with 1000 children." In 2000, she accepted a position to serve as the Director of First Presbyterian Church Preschool where she raised those thousand children.
She leaves behind a devoted husband, William Ritter of Lincolnton, and two children, Ashton of Neptune Beach, FL and Ross of Lincolnton. Ashton continues to work as a GI Oncology PA at Mayo Clinic Florida where Lesa underwent treatment and Ross is completing his final months at Western Carolina University. Her sister and best friend, Megan Panicucci of Billerica, MA, served as nurse #1 throughout her treatment and daily morning coffee companion and shopping partner in life. Lesa's home on Oak Street radiated love, food, and warmth - always filled with family including John and Jennifer Ritter and their daughters Siena and Sophia of Boone, NC, Riccardo and Megan Panicucci of Billerica, MA, nephews Brandon Heavner of Wilmington, NC and Hayden Heavner of Billerica, MA, and nieces, Alexandra Panicucci of Toronto, ON, and Christiana Panicucci, of Billerica, MA.
We thank her multidisciplinary Oncology care team at Mayo Clinic Florida, especially her "Great Oz" Dr. Kabir Mody, and the many, many friends who were her greatest cheerleaders along the way.
The service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Lincolnton on Thursday, May 25 at 4:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, her family suggests a donation to First Presbyterian Church Preschool, 114 West Main Street, Lincolnton, NC.
We will forever remember as the fun-loving Queen of her girlfriends, fulfilling her dream as a mother, and serving as a dedicated educator and advocate for children. Lesa lived her life with sparkle until her flame flickered out. We cannot imagine a world without her in it.
Born February 16, 1965, in DuBois, PA to Howard and Becky Corbin of Lincolnton who both preceded her in death, she lived the first 11 years of her life in Western PA before the Corbin family moved to Labans Lane in Lincolnton in 1976. Her childhood was filled with days at the Country Club pool, Girl Scout camp, teaching swimming lessons, and babysitting.
She graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1983 and attended Peace College, class of 1985, then Greensboro College, class of 1987. She met her husband, William Ritter, in 1988 when their paths crossed because of a speeding ticket and they wed in 1989. Their daughter Ashton was born in 1990 and son Ross followed in 1995. As a child, she always answered the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with "A mom with 1000 children." In 2000, she accepted a position to serve as the Director of First Presbyterian Church Preschool where she raised those thousand children.
She leaves behind a devoted husband, William Ritter of Lincolnton, and two children, Ashton of Neptune Beach, FL and Ross of Lincolnton. Ashton continues to work as a GI Oncology PA at Mayo Clinic Florida where Lesa underwent treatment and Ross is completing his final months at Western Carolina University. Her sister and best friend, Megan Panicucci of Billerica, MA, served as nurse #1 throughout her treatment and daily morning coffee companion and shopping partner in life. Lesa's home on Oak Street radiated love, food, and warmth - always filled with family including John and Jennifer Ritter and their daughters Siena and Sophia of Boone, NC, Riccardo and Megan Panicucci of Billerica, MA, nephews Brandon Heavner of Wilmington, NC and Hayden Heavner of Billerica, MA, and nieces, Alexandra Panicucci of Toronto, ON, and Christiana Panicucci, of Billerica, MA.
We thank her multidisciplinary Oncology care team at Mayo Clinic Florida, especially her "Great Oz" Dr. Kabir Mody, and the many, many friends who were her greatest cheerleaders along the way.
The service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Lincolnton on Thursday, May 25 at 4:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, her family suggests a donation to First Presbyterian Church Preschool, 114 West Main Street, Lincolnton, NC.
Posted on 22 May 2017
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125 Dave Warlick Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
704/735-2521