Catherine 'Ma Ma Kit' Riniker, loyal to Bethel Church

Catherine (Kit) Riniker “Ma Ma Kit”, 93, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at Cadbury of Lewes. Mrs. Riniker was born at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Jan. 3, 1920, daughter of the late Edson C. Lodge Sr. and Martha S. Lodge.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Raymond W. Riniker in April of 2003. In addition to her husband, she is also preceded in death by her two brothers: Edson and Thomas Lodge; her twin sister, Virginia Brittingham; and her grandson, Joshua Peirce.

Growing up in Lewes, Mrs. Riniker was very involved within her church community. She was baptized and then later married at Bethel United Methodist Church. Mrs. Riniker expressed her loyalty to the church as an active member of the Women's Church Circle. Her dedication to the church was reflected as she was honored for being the longest member of Bethel United Methodist Church for 80 years.

Mrs. Riniker worked as a bank teller for Girard Bank, formerly known as Farmer’s Bank, retiring after many years of service in 1984. Her hobbies included rooting for the Phillies and spending quality time with her family and friends. More specifically, her infamous luncheon with “the girls” was never an event to be missed or forgotten. She was also an avid bridge player, enjoyed scrapbooking, creating photo albums, and proudly maintained a manicured yard and street corner. Mrs. Riniker’s interests also involved knitting, specializing in sweaters and baby sets. Her knitting hobby extended her support for the Prayer Shaw Ministry, as she dedicated her time to create numerous shaws for the organization. Mrs. Riniker also found joy in collecting clocks where there are over 100 clocks ticking in her home and many, many photographs of her family surrounded her.

She is survived by her daughter, Kay Peirce and husband Josh of Sellersville, Pa.; her son, Doug Riniker and his wife Cindy of Millsboro; her four granddaughters: Donna Wilkins and her husband Jeff of Sellersville, Kimberly Keller and her husband Bill of Schwenksville, Pa., Melissa Catherine Baitinger and her husband Eric of Lansdale, Pa., and Lisa Rae Peirce; her two grandsons: Steven Riniker and his wife Ai-vy of Seftner, Fla., and Scott Riniker and his wife Amber of Millsboro; her seven great-grand children: Samuel Wilkins, Isaac Wilkins, Eva Catherine Wilkins, Eliza Wilkins, Chad Keller, Brooke Baitinger and Allison Baitinger; her stepgrandson, Tommy Lynch and his wife Connie; and her stepgreat-grandchildren: Colby Lynch, and Ryelee Lynch. Mrs. Riniker is also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as many close friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Interment will follow at the Bethel United Methodist Cemetery, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Bethel United Methodist Capital Improvement Fund, 129 W 4th Street, Lewes, DE 19958.