Sandra Marie Ritchey Charles-Park

Sandra Marie Ritchey Charles Park, 66, Altoona, passed away early Wednesday morning at UPMC Altoona due to natural causes.

She was born in Altoona, daughter of the late George E. Ritchey, Sr. and Theresa Ann (Bidoli) Ritchey Pellegrino. She was twice married to Paul C. Charles III who preceded her death and Steven M. Park who preceded her in death.

She is survived by a daughter, Tera Franklin (Carlos Santana) of Altoona; a son, Paul Charles IV (Erica Allison) of Altoona; stepsons: Jeremy, Jake and Josh Park; grandchildren: Sha’ree, Shawn, Aleysia, Serena, Daryl III, Paul V “PJ”, Braeden, Alyssa, Mikayla and Joseph Jr.; siblings: George E. Ritchey, Jr. (Deborah) and Nina L. Ramsey (Eric); and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Michael Charles, Sr., a granddaughter, Hayden Charles, a sister, Deborah Ritchey, and stepfather, Frank Pellegrino, Jr.

Sandra attended St. Francis where she studied business. After many years of service, she retired from Bilo Foods as an office manager. She loved spending time with her grandchildren; and she enjoyed knitting and her cats.

Sandra was a beautiful person; for the way she thought, for the sparkle in her eyes for when she talked about something she loved, for her ability to make others smile, even if she was sad. No, she wasn’t beautiful for something as temporary as her looks, she was beautiful deep down to her soul.

“A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest, it broke our hearts to see you go, God only takes the best. They say that memories are golden, well maybe that is true, but we never wanted memories, we only wanted you, your life was love and labor, your love for your family true, you did your best for all of us, we will always remember you. We sat beside your bedside, our hearts were crushed and sore, we did our duty to the end, ‘til we could no more. In tears we watched you sinking, we watched you fade away, and though our hearts were breaking, we knew you could not stay. Our lips cannot speak how we loved you, our hearts cannot tell what to say, but God only knows how we miss you, in our home that is lonely today.”

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Mauk & Yates Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sandra’s honor to the Central PA Humane Society, 1837 E Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602.