Celebrating the life of
Helen Lee Thornton Ravitch
May 17, 1944 - June 20, 2009
Savannah – Helen Lee Thornton Ravitch, 65, died June 20, 2009 at her residence. Beloved wife of Norman Ravitch and mother of Michael Ravitch of Savannah, Helen Lee Ravitch was educated at Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, Berry College, Medical College of Georgia, and the California Graduate Institute. She worked for many years in the field of psychiatric nursing in Georgia and California, most recently for the Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, California, in the Marriage Tribunal and at the Clark Center at Memorial Health, Gateway, and American Work in Savannah. She was a former communicant of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and a communicant of Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. She lived in Ft. Gaines, Georgia with her grandmother after her mother's untimely death when she was a child of two. Ft. Gaines was the home of her Turnipseed ancestors and her grandfather, Benjamin Turnipseed was Mayor of Ft. Gaines during the early part of the 20th Century. She will be greatly missed and mourned. Her family knows that her soul will be reunited with her mother Sarah Frances Turnipseed Thornton whom she hardly knew, but always missed.
Surviving are her husband, Norman Ravitch and son, Michael Ravitch both of Savannah; sister, Frances Thornton Potter of Huntsville, AL, niece, Katherine Potter Sewell and nephew, Adam Potter; and members of the Turnipseed, Chitty, and Gotsch families in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.
Visitation: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel with a Christian Wake Service at 6:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 26, 2009 at St. Teresa's Church in Albany, Georgia.
Burial will be in The Park Cemetery in Ft. Gaines, Georgia.
Remembrances: Bethesda Home for Boys, 9520 Ferguson Ave., Savannah, GA 31406
I began teaching with Lee when I was 24 at Floyd College. She was my strength. I loved her like a sister.
- Lynda Nauright, Kennesaw, GA
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Everyone at Chatham Academy is saddened by your loss. Just know that we are thinking of you. Carolyn Hannaford
- Carolyn Hannaford, Savannah, GA
We will miss Lee's wonderful, sweet, friendly and helpful spirit. She was certainly an outstanding wife and mother and will be long remembered by her friends.
- Bob, Marge & Stephen Fallaw, Chestertown, MD
Mr. Norman and Michael Ravitch, It is never easy losing a love one, but if you hold on to God's unchanging hand, He will give you the strength you need to make it. For earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal. On behalf of Dr. Tribble and the Bethesda Family, we love you and we pray that God will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding.
- Antwain Turner, Savannah, GA
Norman and Michael, May God give you the strength to see you through your loss. I will remember Lee always. Gwen Gifford Diocese of San Bernardino Tribunal
- Gwen Gifford, Phelan, CA
I began teaching with Lee when I was 24 at Floyd College. She was my strength. I loved her like a sister.
- Lynda Nauright, Kennesaw, GA
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Everyone at Chatham Academy is saddened by your loss. Just know that we are thinking of you. Carolyn Hannaford
- Carolyn Hannaford, Savannah, GA
We will miss Lee's wonderful, sweet, friendly and helpful spirit. She was certainly an outstanding wife and mother and will be long remembered by her friends.
- Bob, Marge & Stephen Fallaw, Chestertown, MD
Mr. Norman and Michael Ravitch, It is never easy losing a love one, but if you hold on to God's unchanging hand, He will give you the strength you need to make it. For earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal. On behalf of Dr. Tribble and the Bethesda Family, we love you and we pray that God will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding.
- Antwain Turner, Savannah, GA
Norman and Michael, May God give you the strength to see you through your loss. I will remember Lee always. Gwen Gifford Diocese of San Bernardino Tribunal
- Gwen Gifford, Phelan, CA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
