Nellie Mae Pitcher

Nellie M. (Wood) Pitcher, 95 of Traverse City, passed away on February 15, 2019. Nell was born on November 11, 1923 in Traverse City to the late Lillian (Lardie) and Stanley Wood. Her family moved to Mapleton on the Old Mission Peninsula when she was a child. She attended Mapleton School through 9th grade. She then transferred to St. Francis High where she graduated in 1940. At age 13 she moved to the home of her aunt and uncle Loretta (Lardie) and Arnold White. In their home was the Peninsula Telephone Company Switchboard. She worked there as a telephone operator, housekeeper, and baby sitter until she moved to Traverse City in 1943 and went to work for Lyle Wilhem DDS. On August 23, 1947 she married William B. Pitcher and moved with him to Mackinaw City where he was employed as an agent for Railway Express. Over the years they moved several times about Michigan and Indiana. Finally, Bill was moved back to Traverse City in 1959. In these years they had 5 daughters who now survive. Bill died in October of 2000. Nell worked for 9 years as an office manager, hostess and waitress, if the need arose, at the Bill Thomas Restaurant. When the restaurant sold she went to work for Engstrom, Hicks Insurance which later became GHA Insurance. Nell worked there until her retirement in 1993. Nell was a longtime member of St. Francis Parish where she sang in the adult choir for many years until health issues forced her to give it up at age 95. Surviving Nell are her daughters, Molly (Jerry) Place, Linda Pitcher, Carol (Hal) Deal, Brenda Lau, and Jennifer Heinfling; brothers Jim (Pat) Wood, Tom (Shirley) Wood; sister-in-law Karen Wood; 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends. Nell is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, Betty Fitzgerald, Donna Lewis, Barbara Scarpelli, brothers Stanley, Francis, and George Wood, along with son-in-law’s Gordon Lau and Jeff Heinfling. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11am on Tuesday February, 19, 2019 at St. Francis Catholic Church with a visitation beginning at 10am and a rosary prayed at 10:45. Committal services will be announced in the spring at Oakwood Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan or a charity of your choice. The family would like to offer many thanks to Ritter’s Assisted Living for the wonderful care Nell received over the years. Nell often referred to Ritter’s as home. Their love, kindness, and understanding meant the world to Nell and her family. The family also thanks Hospice of Michigan for their care and support as Nell’s health declined. Kindly share thoughts and memories with Nell’s family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Nellie Mae Pitcher

November 11, 1923 - February 15, 2019