DEERFIELD - Shirley I. Ritzel, 88, of Deerfield, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2013 at her home. Shirley was born November 22, 1925 in Utica, the daughter of Raymond and Laura (Clark) Kennedy. She was raised and educated locally, graduating from St. Francis de Sales High School. On October 22, 1949, Shirley married Bernard Ritzel at St. Francis de Sales Church in Utica. Mr. Ritzel passed away in 1997. Shirley loved to travel, having taken trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and Ireland. She had been a member of St. Francis de Sales Church, and then of St. Peter's Church in North Utica. Shirley is survived by three daughters, Linda Pagano, Florida, Diane Ritzel (with whom she resided), Utica, Teresa Ritzel, Cold Brook; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Richard and Corrine Ritzel, Holland Patent, Mark Ritzel, Newport; three grandchildren, Brittany Ritzel, New Hartford, Talia Pagano, Florida, Jason Ritzel, Maryland; a sister, Rita Tompkins, Bellemont, NY; and a brother-in-law, Gerard Ritzel, Clark Mills. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Adelaide and Arthur Underwood; a brother-in-law, Harold Tompkins, and a son-in-law, Anthony Pagano. Mrs. Ritzel's funeral will be held on Friday, December 20, 2013, at 10:30 am at St. Peter's Church in North Utica, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Utica., Relatives and friends may call at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., North Utica, Thursday evening, from 4 - 7 pm. Those wishing may donate to The Abraham House, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, or to the Make A Wish Foundation in Shirley's memory. For the care and many kindnesses, the family offers their thanks to Dr. Sikder, Mary S., Kathy G., Sharon Ann B. Colleen O., and a special thank you to Paul Guldenzoph.