Community, family and education were interwoven in Betty Ritterhoff's life.

        A founding member of the Clifton Town Meeting, A. Elizabeth “Betty” Ritterhoff died June 2 at Rosewood Care Center in Moline, Ill., of heart failure.

        The 73-year Clifton resident was 91.

        “She had a very active, curious, inquisitive mind,” said her daughter, Ann Staubitz of South Hamilton, Mass.

        Ms. Staubitz described her mother as “poised” but with the ability to find humor in the everyday.

        Raised in Clifton, Mrs. Ritterhoff graduated from Hughes High School in 1925 and continued her education at the University of Cincinnati, where she earned a bachelor's degree in home economics in 1932.

        While at UC, she was a dancer for the theater department's musical productions, and performed at the Albee Theatre with the Bob Hope Show.

        She met Robert Ritterhoff at UC and married him in 1934.

        In the 1960s, she helped form the Clifton Town Meeting, which supports and encourages small businesses on Ludlow Avenue.

        At age 65, she returned to UC, where she studied Spanish, French, Italian, Latin and many other subjects as a student enrolled in the senior audit program.

        She also rekindled her desire to dance, taking ballet classes at UC's College-Conservatory of Music for several years.

        A supporter of the Cincinnati Ballet, Mrs. Ritterhoff was a season ticketholder who held the same seats for 30 years.

        Born into the Shriver family — whose members can trace their roots back to pre-revolutionary days — Mrs. Ritterhoff was fascinated with history.

        Her grandfather was a medical doctor in the rural town of Waynesborough, Pa., and she donated several of his medical devices to Historic Southwest Ohio, an educational institution at Sharon Woods.

        About seven years ago, Mrs. Ritterhoff moved to Illinois to be closer to her son, Eric Ritterhoff of Rock Island.

        Her husband, Robert Ritterhoff, preceded her in death in 1989.

        In addition to her daughter and son, survivors include another daughter, Elizabeth L. Moore of Greenley, Colo.; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

        Services have been held.

        Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Montgomery.

        Memorials: Historic Southwest Ohio, Inc., P.O. Box 62475, Cincinnati 45262.

Ky. dioceses lead U.S. in priest abuse lawsuits
Bishops revoke invitation to abuse victims' group
Priest target of 48 suits
Convenience attracts N.Ky. drug buyers
Foreign-born numbers double
Security won't be left to faith
Airport Days all about family
Ball planned for seniors, disabled
Charter school moves closer to 'home'
Deal near on high school site
Driver faces charges after traffic attack
House destroyed in fire
Man charged after shooting suspect in leg
McCrackin's spirit alive in West End
Obituary: Betty Ritterhoff, 91, loved history, dance
Saying goodbye to graffiti
Summit teaches love for users
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Ready & willing
CROWLEY: Ky. Politics
PULFER: Roxanne Qualls
SMITH AMOS: Since Sept. 11
Rebels expected attack, ex-hostage says
Work begins on shopping center
Dayton Peace Prize awarded
Democrats to elect new party head
One school stands tall on expanding view of evolution
Truckers keep eyes on road looking out for terrorists
Covington schools seek more diversity
Feds to inspect coal-waste site
Hitchhiker run over by truck
Kentucky News Briefs
Work on Ali center starting