WA - Jean Margaret Ritzen nee Weatherhead was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on February 7, 1932, to Lloyd Eugene Weatherhead and Hazel Jean Ogilvie. When Jean was 12 her father died of shrapnel complications from being shot as a young teenage Canadian soldier in WWI Europe. Provincial dignitaries attended the estimable railroad worker and union leader's funeral. This was a dark time with her live-in grandparents dying within a few months of her father turning a bustling household into a profoundly sad one.

As her mother returned to work as a legal secretary, Jean took on many of the adult responsibilities including caring for her younger sister Marian and paying bills.

Jean excelled academically earning the valedictorian position at her school that was given to a male student instead. Undaunted, Jean became the first in her family to graduate from university earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Saskatchewan and master's degree from the University of Toronto in social work. Jean's schooling was paid for by small survivor benefits from the railroad and military and her work as a telephone operator during summers. Of note, her father was also a dance instructor, and Jean was an award-winning Highland dancer until competitions ceased when WWII started.

Jean met her future husband Alex while he was at Royal Canadian Mounted Police training in Regina after Jean's relatives from Alex's hometown gave their approval. Jean and Alex married in 1956 and lived in Edmonton, Alberta, while Alex finished medical school before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, for his internship all while Jean worked as a social worker. They then moved cross continent in their Volkswagen Beetle to Brooklyn, New York, for Alex's pathology residency training while Jean worked as a social worker in Harlem. She also attended Columbia University which she found easy after her rigorous Canadian education. A lively time to live in Brooklyn with many colorful stories of just missing mob hits, landlords Abe and Sophie, real pizza, and a colossal snowstorm.

After Alex's acceptance into a University of Cambridge pathology fellowship program, the couple moved to England via the Queen Mary. While there, they explored the UK, enjoyed tea with the Queen, and ventured to Sweden where they connected with Alex's relatives. They cherished their Swedish family with many visits back and forth over the years. After their son was born in Cambridge in 1961, the family moved to Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, for Alex's work, where their daughter was born years later. The family subsequently moved for short stays in Virginia and Connecticut before landing in Bellevue, Washington in the later 1960s.

Jean and Alex became American citizens in 1970 sponsored by their dear family friend, US born citizen, and Japanese internment camp survivor Toyo Hayashi.

Jean was a devoted homemaker actively involved in her children's lives as Cub Scouts Den Mother, Campfire Girls leader, and chauffeur to their many activities. In addition to her amazing cooking skills honed through trainings including with Julia Child, Jean was a talented seamstress making all the curtains and bedding in their home, designing elegant gowns for her daughter, and knitting beautiful sweaters among many other creations until she became blind from macular degeneration. In addition, Jean's extensive community service was honored with the Governor's Arts Award in 1988 for her long-term work as the president of the Music and Art Foundation in recognition of excellence and significant contributions to the arts and cultural life of Washington State.

After Alex's retirement, Jean and Alex traveled the world and volunteered in their community but their foremost joy came upon the arrival of their grandchildren, the true VIPs of their lives. Jean and Alex were generous hosts who threw lavish barbecues and holiday parties for Alex's laboratory and hospital colleagues and their many friends and family. Their home was a destination spot for extended family.

After moving to their retirement community, Jean and Alex delighted in renting their Somerset home to the Seattle Seawolves for ~5 years. From their home, they also once watched the only airplane in the sky that fateful D.B. Cooper night.

Jean was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and neighbor. Jean and Alex were married from September 1, 1956, until his death on August 12, 2025. She is survived by her children Bruce and Arlene; grandchildren Sten and Maria; and her dear nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents; sister Marian, and husband. Her life was enriched by her precious dogs Louie, Smokey, Frosty, and granddogs Daisy, Tiffany, and Sadie. One of the best days ever was when the granddogs escaped their home less than a mile away, made a beeline for Grandma and Grandpa's, and barked until they were let in for treats and a visit so very proud of themselves!

We thank the Briarwood staff for their wonderful and loving care of Jean in her final years. For those fortunate to know her, Jean's warmth, kindness, wit, intellect, perfect grammar, and hospitality will always be with you.

Jean and Alex supported the Salvation Army, the Seattle Times, Planned Parenthood, the National Parks Conservation Association, and anything pro-democracy and against Trumpism.