Susan E. Ritz Harper
Ruffs Dale
Susan E. Ritz Harper, 67, of Ruffs Dale, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Forbes Hospital in Monroeville. She was born December 14, 1958 in Greensburg, the daughter of Barbara Ann Radziwon Ritz and the late Peter P. Ritz.
She graduated from Greensburg Central Catholic High School with the Class of 1977. She went on to earn her undergraduate degree from Penn State, followed by both her graduate and Juris Doctorate degrees in Law from the University of Pittsburgh.
She was a lifetime member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Yukon.
Susan worked and retired as a defense attorney after over 40 years of dedication. She was the first female chief public defender in Fayette County. She began her career as a legal aid attorney partner with Cupp and Ritz before opening her own private practice, while also serving part-time as a conflicts attorney and part-time as an attorney with the Fayette County public defender’s office before becoming the first female chief public defender.
Susan enjoyed spoiling her dogs, cross-stitch and decorating for all of the holidays, especially Halloween. She enjoyed vacationing, Jimmy Buffet concerts, watching NCIS and detective true crime shows along with listening to Fleetwood Mac, Gordon Lightfoot and ’70s and ’80s music.
She was preceded in death by father, Peter P. Ritz; and sisters-in-law, Mary Gwen Harper and Jeanne Murphy; mother- in-law, Emma Jean Rozantz; and father-in-law, Harold B. Harper.
She is survived by her mother, Barbara Ann Ritz; her loving husband of 36 years, Donald B. Harper of Ruffs Dale; daughter, Dr. Julia (Alex) Delenko of Norwalk, Conn.; brothers, Timothy (Kathy) Ritz of New Castle and Thomas Ritz of Delmont; and brother-in-law, David Harper of Florida.
Friends will be received from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, April 19, and Monday, April 20, in the BEATTY-RICH FUNERAL HOME, INC., Route 136, Madison, PA 15663 – Ronald A. Rich Jr., supervisor/funeral director. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, in Seven Dolors Catholic Church, 102 Center Street, Yukon, PA 15698. All those wishing to attend the Funeral Mass for Susan are asked to go directly to the church. A private interment will take place at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church Cemetery in Yukon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made, in Susan’s memory, to Dress for Success, at www.pittsburgh.dressforsuccess.org. To leave condolences for the family, visit www.beatty-richfuneralhome.com