Marita C. Halsey Ritterhoff of Bridgehampton and Vero Beach, Florida, died on March 31 in Vero Beach. She was 97.
A graduate of Columbia Presbyterian School of Nursing, Ms. Ritterhoff met Donald P. Halsey Jr. shortly after World War II, and they married in 1948. They raised their five children in Montclair, New Jersey, with summers in Water Mill and Bridgehampton. She enjoyed entertaining in Montclair and Bridgehampton, and Mr. Halsey, a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, would regale their guests at the piano.
After Mr. Halsey died in 1981, Ms. Ritterhoff married Bill Ritterhoff, who was introduced to her by friends at the Bridgehampton Club. When not traveling internationally, they divided their time between Vero Beach and Bridgehampton. After Mr. Ritterhoff died in 2003, Ms. Ritterhoff continued to split her time between Vero Beach and Bridgehampton. She especially enjoyed watching the sunset at the beach in Bridgehampton with family and friends while enjoying her favorite cocktail, a Manhattan.
She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Suzanne (Paul), Don (Joanne), Doug (Amy), Philip (Lisa Gilpin) Tyson (Caroline); nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her first husband, Donald Post Halsey Jr., and her second husband, C. William Ritterhoff.
A reception will be held this summer at the Bridgehampton Club beach deck for members and friends to share memories of Ms. Ritterhoff, a member of the Bridgehampton Club since 1968.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Peconic Land Trust (peconiclandtrust.org).