ANDOVER – When Andover and Danvers ice hockey groups took the ice Thursday evening, the women wore pink laces on their skates, pink paint on their faces, and Ritzer proudly throughout their backs. Little particulars Colleen Ritzer would love.
“The little issues. She did not want rather a lot to get pleasure from life,” mentioned her mom Peggie Ritzer, smiling.
The fundraising recreation helps a scholarship in honor of the beloved Danvers Excessive math instructor killed close to her classroom ten years in the past. Colleen’s shiny, stunning, candy spirit was stolen. However kindness and good deeds in her identify have by no means stopped.
“Colleen is an excellent function mannequin. Her legacy is kindness and compassion. These women embody that,” mentioned Andover father or mother Barbie Higgins.
For the reason that scholarship was created ten years in the past, the Ritzers have raised greater than $440,000. That cash, in Colleen’s identify, has helped near 90 college students working to grow to be academics themselves.
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“After we have a look at the functions, we’re on the lookout for people who find themselves going to be academics like Colleen,” mentioned Peggie, proudly.
The generosity has made such a distinction, identical to Colleen did.
“I really went to Assumption for 2 years the place Colleen went. Then I transferred to Endicott. It helped me get by way of school. I proceed to consider her on daily basis I educate. I educate first grade now, in Beverly. She had a tremendous impression on so many individuals,” mentioned Kristen McCarthy, who performed within the recreation as a former Danvers pupil, was a recipient of the scholarship, and now coaches.
These two cities, the place Colleen was from and the place she taught, they always remember. And which means the whole lot to the Ritzers.
“She was an incredible individual. I am glad to see individuals remembering her and carrying on the way in which she lived,” mentioned Colleen’s dad, Tom Ritzer.
