Charlotte Maie (Ritter) Gilchrist

Charlotte Maie (Ritter) Gilchrist passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Holy Cross Hospital with Hospice and family by her side.  She was born June 23, 1928 in Randallstown, MD to the late Clarence and Lucile (Nicholson) Ritter.  She was the oldest of four children.  One surviving sister, Roberta Hayes from Monroe, GA.

Charlottte graduated from Catonsville High School, then went on to work for the Girl Scouts in Baltimore, MD. In 1946, she met her husband, David M. Gilchrist, a chief in the U.S. Navy and married in 1947.  They lived in Norfolk, VA until 1955 when her husband received orders to Argentina, S.A.  While living there for four years she was able to use her Girl Scout training to organize four Girl Scout troops for the American school.  She served on the Girl Guide board and assisted in organizing the Methodist Women’s group in the local church.

In 1959, she and the family moved to Bethesda, MD where she continued to serve as a neighborhood chairwoman and Girl Scout leader.  She worked with the youth in the Bethesda Methodist Church and was a Circle chairwoman for the Methodist Women.  Charlotte was a true believer of Avon products thus becoming an Avon Representative along with working part time running the office of a local animal hospital.

In 1980, she and her husband moved to Heritage Harbor Annapolis, MD where she continued to serve in leadership roles at Calvary United Methodist Church, established a gift shop that offered hand crafted items and organized the yearly Holiday Bazaar.  She made four trips to Costa Rica as a missionary volunteer.

In 2009, she moved to Riderwood Adult Community in Silver Spring, MD where she continued her volunteer mission at the local Treasure Chest which supports the Benevolent Fund. She enjoyed supporting families through the funeral and memorial service process both in Annapolis and at Riderwood.  Charlotte was very active traveling, playing golf, camping, square dancing, ballroom dancing, hosting parties, playing bridge, sewing, needle-crafting, swimming and entertaining family and friends.

Charlotte had three children: David M. Jr., Lucile Wynn, and Mark Clarence.  She is survived by her daughter, Lucile W. Rice and husband, Steve of Waldorf, MD, four grandchildren: Rick Gilchrist of Arlington, VA, Ryan Gilchrist and wife, Denise of Weston, MA, Harley Rice of Waldorf, MD, and Annah Rinaldo and husband, Marc of LaPlata, MD; seven great grandchildren: Dylan, Connor, Amelia, Claire, George, Juliet, and Ava; a close friend Tom Cordell; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.