Jean Patricia Ritter

‘My Dearest Mum’,
A dedicated mother, an inspirational educator,
an exceptional tapissiere.
Thanks for sharing my academic journey.

Sponsored by: Dr Helen Ritter (12/05/07)

Story

Jean Patricia Ritter (nee Finch) was born in Liverpool, UK, in May 1924, the fourth of five children. Her parents were teachers and she developed a love of learning at her father’s knee. The rules of the time did not allow her mother to work as a teacher after marriage but she affirmed to the young Jean the value of an education and kindled Jean’s first intimation of feminism that grew into a passion for the rights of mothers and children.

Jean had a happy childhood even while it was marred by the effects of the Great Depression. She was often hungry but this did not stop her enjoying school, learning to play the cello and developing a love of music. Jean had a close relationship with her Grandmother who modeled many of the virtues of being a strong woman.

The Second World War had a major impact on her teenage years. She was evacuated twice and this, along with the loss of friends and the fear and stringency of wartime England, honed her character in many ways.

In 1942 she won a scholarship to Liverpool University and took her Bachelor of Science in 1945 and her Diploma of Education in 1946. She also met her future husband, Paul Ritter, a Jewish refugee from Czechoslovakia, with whom she eloped in 1946. They shared a passion for justice and an interest in childrearing that forged a lifetime bond. The shortage of teachers, particularly science teachers, after the war ensured the ban on married women teachers rule was abandoned and Jean went on to teach in Grammar schools and a Technical College, in particular establishing classes in sex education determined to lift the veil of ignorance suffered by so many women of her time. Her reading lead her to champion the causes of natural childbirth, breast feeding on demand and child rearing by self regulation and these have remained dear to her heart throughout her life.

In 1949 their first daughter was born. Jean considered raising her family was of fundamental importance and she and Paul went on to have five daughters and two sons (the last born in 1971 in Western Australia). She was an accomplished home maker, a loving and involved mother, a superb cook and a loyal supporter of her husband.

In 1959 Jean and Paul wrote “The Free Family”, the description of how they applied their beliefs about child rearing to their own children, this was printed in several countries and attracted wide interest. Jean found time to be a childbirth educator and to speak on television and radio as well as giving many talks to community groups on her philosophies and their practical applications.

In 1965 the family moved to Perth where Paul was appointed the inaugural city planner. This was a major life change which Jean embraced - making new friends and seeking new challenges. Whilst remaining dedicated to mothering Jean became involved in many community activities in her new home, particularly in areas relating to children.

These involvements included:

  • Member of the Western Australian Council of Social Service and Chairman of their Rents and Bonds Committee,
  • Chairman Kindergarten Teachers Training College,
  • Foundation Chairman of the Association for Welfare of Children in Hospital,
  • Member of the Management Committee of the Lady Gowrie Centre,
  • President of Board of Management of Labouchere Rd Kindergarten,
  • Member Australian Preschool Association Council,
  • Board of Management Beenong School,
  • Secretary Kelmscott High School Council , (during her involvement at Kelmscott a school farm was created , a school crèche established and mature age student programme instigated)
  • Member Lesmurdie High School Council.

She represented a number of these organisations at national conferences. Jean was also sought out as an Australian Democrats’ candidate for Federal Parliament and stood on four occasions.

Australian College of Educators recently recognised Jean as a Life Member.

The influence of her passion for education can be seen in her direct adult descendants who have between the 14 of them 3 PhDs (plus 2 in progress), 3 Masters degrees, 17 Bachelors degrees, 4 Diplomas of Education and 4 Graduate Diplomas.

In her later years Jean rekindled a dormant artistic talent becoming an exceptional tapestry artist producing spontaneous gros-point canvases depicting many aspects of her life, loves and the natural world. No words can do justice to these incredibly beautiful works.

In 2001 her third daughter began a series of projects writing her mother’s biography based on her mother’s letters home to England. Jean was an enthusiastic supporter of and contributor to this project which culminated in her daughter’s PhD entitled “My Dearest Mum”.

Now in her eighties she is an active member of The University of the Third Age, serving on its committee and having taken her turn as Chairman of the Hills Branch. Her mastery of email and the Internet has kept her in touch with her seven children and fourteen grandchildren for whom she remains a much loved and formidable role model.