The City of Huntington Beach is made up of many women, past and present, who have added to the extraordinary City we are today. Below is just one example of the tremendous women who called Huntington Beach home and made Surf City even better for being a part of it.

Fran Ritchey – Born in Sacramento, California, Fran was the daughter of Charles, a machinist, and Franciscka, who immigrated to the United States from Russian Poland as a child.

In 1943, Fran joined the Marine Corps and was assigned to Quantico, Virginia where she served in various capacities, including the photography unit and Military Police.  She was promoted to Sergeant and served until 1956.

Not long after concluding her service in the Marine Corp, she moved to Huntington Beach and joined our local American Legion Post 133.  When the Post celebrated its Centennial in 2019, Sergeant Fran Ritchey was honored as the Legion’s longest continuing female member.

Fran became a vibrant member of the  Rodgers’ Senior Center community. Senior Center Director, Randy Pesqueira, recalls that her lunch table was the most popular, thanks to her dry wit, love of gardens, and her memories of military service – especially her time as a military driver. Fran loved the new Senior Center in Central Park.  In addition to her financial contributions, she was always available to answer questions and help welcome new guests to the Center. Highly respected, Sergeant Fran Ritchey is deeply missed.