Pontotoc Co., OK - Obits: Margaret Hill Ritter ********************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Rita Floyd USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************** Obituaries from the Ada Evening News, Pontotoc Co., OK. Date of editions are given at beginning of each section. -------------------------------------------------------- Ada Evening News Paid Obituaries -------------------------------------------------------- Friday, September 5, 2003 MARGARET RITTER MARGARET HILL RITTER, Born August 17th, 1922 in Ada, Oklahoma - Actress, Author, Loving Wife, Generous Mother and Dear Friend died August 28th, 2003 at her residence in New York at the age of 81. Known to her friends and family as Maggie, she is survived by her husband, Theodore Jerome Ritter, her son William Theodore Ritter, her daughter-in-law Barbara Gail Ritter and her grandchildren Theodore Addison Ritter and Alexis Megan Duggan as well as her cousins James Burgess Steed and Elizabeth Ann Smith. Maggie was an accomplished author with six novels to her credit. Her first novel, "SIMON SAYS", which she dedicated to her friend Tyne Daly and whose early photograph appears on its cover, delves into the challenges of becoming an actress. Tyne is the daughter of Hope and James Daly who during the 1950’s and 1960’s were her neighbors in the greater New York suburbs. Her other literary works include, "THE BURNING WOMAN", "CAROLINE, CAROLINE"and "WOMEN IN THE WIND." She lived and worked in Oklahoma, New York, Pennsylvania, California, as well as Spain and England. While living in England, she interviewed 21 British noblemen and many artists, including Ingrid Bergman, while on special assignment for the BBC and the British Tourist Authority when not spending time with her family. As an actress, Maggie appeared in over 200 stage plays and 30 television shows. Through her lifelong friend Priscilla Morrill she met director William H. Putch and his wife Jean Stapleton and subsequently performed at their summer theater, the Totem Pole Playhouse. Some of the productions included: "PAPA IS ALL", "GOODBYE MY FANCY", "THE GREAT SEBASTIANS", "THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE", "A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED", "ERNEST IN LOVE" and "DAISY MAYME" among others. She appeared with such actors as Charlton Heston, Basil Rathbone, Tony Randall, Julie Harris, Brian Keith, Dennis Weaver, Dame Judith Anderson and Helen Hayes. Her last screen appearances were in "BACHELORMAN" in 2003 and "VALERIE FLAKE" in 1999 which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. For the last 15 years, she lived happily with her husband on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Margaret was in good spirits, ever thinking of those she loved most, her family and friends. She will be sorely missed but will be in our hearts forever.