Anita Ricks, grade school principal in Camden
Anita L. Ricks, 79, of Cherry Hill, who retired in 2001 as principal at Forest Hill Elementary School in Camden, died of a heart attack Monday, Oct. 17, at Burlington Woods, a health facility in Burlington Township.
Anita L. Ricks, 79, of Cherry Hill, who retired in 2001 as principal at Forest Hill Elementary School in Camden, died of a heart attack Monday, Oct. 17, at Burlington Woods, a health facility in Burlington Township.
Born in Atlantic City, Ms. Ricks graduated from Ocean City High School, earned a bachelor's in education at what is now Rowan University and a master's in education administration at Temple University.
A first cousin, Portia Thompson, said Ms. Ricks studied further, in summer classes at Rutgers, Kean University in Union, N.J., and the University of Massachusetts.
She began her 37-year teaching career in 1964 at a parochial school in Jersey City, N.J., before going to Camden, where she spent her years in public elementary education, Thompson said.
Dorothy Wyatt had known Ms. Ricks since 1968, when they were both first grade teachers in Camden, Wyatt at Henry L. Bonsall School and Ms. Ricks at Parkside School.
Wyatt retired in 2005 as principal at Riletta Cream Elementary School in Camden.
Besides sharing trips to schools in Tucson, Ariz., and other cities, sponsored by the board of education in Camden, the two were at UMass in the summer of 1971, Wyatt said, "studying strategies for an open space classroom."
Ms. Ricks, Wyatt said, "was a very concerned, personable individual, and she made sure that the lives of her children and their parents were a top priority."
For a time while in elementary education, Thompson said, Ms. Ricks also taught instructional methodology at Camden County College.
She was a volunteer leader for Brownies, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts in Camden as well as a volunteer at Cooper University Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, both in Camden.
A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Ms. Ricks also was a member of, among other groups, the NAACP and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
In addition to her cousin, Ms. Ricks is survived by several other cousins.
A period of remembrance was set from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 3901 Westfield Ave., Pennsauken, before an 11 a.m. remembrance service there. Interment is to be in Harleigh Cemetery, Camden.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.carlmayfuneralhomes.com.
610-313-8134 @WNaedele