Editor’s note: Due to the many fond memories recalled about Arveda, this story will run in multiple parts. Look for part-two in tomorrow’s News Tribune.
By Sheila Golden
For the News Tribune
KEYSER - Lap robes, infant gowns, cancer pads, grape jelly, lemon meringue pie, Polaroid pictures, homemade candles and lovely hats — these are but a few of the myriad of nouns that come to mind when one thinks of the late Arveda M. (Hartman) Pritt.
The end of an era in Keyser came in the early morning hours of Saturday, Jan. 23, with the death of this iconic figure.
I met this dynamic lady about ten years ago when I first attended the annual May Friendship Dinner sponsored by the Church Women United of Keyser.
She entered the social hall of the First United Methodist Church and the room lit up. Everyone began to move toward her as though attracted by a magnet.
Eventually I was the next in line to greet this demure lady about whom I had heard so much. Someone nearby made the introductions and Arveda Pritt instantly captured my heart with her sweet smile, her sparkling eyes and her warm words of welcome. I knew that all the glowing things I had heard about her were absolutely true. As the evening drew to a close and everyone was beginning to leave the church, she found me, took my hand in hers and said, “Now I want to see you back here when we get together the next time.”
That was all the invitation that I needed to become a regular attendee at these annual gatherings. I looked forward to seeing Mrs. Pritt at these functions immaculately groomed and sporting a hat that coordinated perfectly with her outfit.
In the spring of 2007 I received a hand-written note from Mrs. Pritt telling me that she would be celebrating her 100th birthday in June. The note instructed me to “mark this day on your calendar and celebrate with me.” I felt honored to receive an invitation from her several weeks before her family issued the official invitation to the centenarian’s celebration. But this was just one of her many unique and endearing characteristics — making each person she met feel so special.
As a volunteer at Heartland of Keyser, I had the opportunity to get to know her even better as I visited her there. We never ran out of topics for conversation and her words of wisdom and faith were a source of inspiration to me. She was sweet and very much a lady; yet she displayed a feistiness that was refreshing to see in someone of her age. She never failed to thank me for every little thing that I did for her by saying something like “Thank you, Golden. You’re a good girl.”
Of the times that I spent with Mrs. Pritt, the occasion that stands out the most in my memory occurred on Aug. 6, 2009 — about two months after her 102nd birthday. On that day a group of Heartland residents, staff and volunteers traveled to Terra Alta, W.Va., to participate in the annual Geri Olympics hosted by the Hopemont Nursing Home.
I was blessed to be the volunteer who accompanied Mrs. Pritt to the various events in which she participated. Her physical strength, agility and stamina were amazing! During the first segment of the games, I asked her several times if she would like to sit and rest for a few minutes. Each time she assured me that she was fine.
After my umpteenth inquiry, she quietly responded, “Honey, I’ll tell you when I need to sit down.” I said no more on that subject and she didn’t sit until lunch time.
The day after her passing I visited with several residents at Heartland. So many of them reminisced about her and talked about her winning personality.
“She was just someone you were glad to know,” stated one lady.
Regina Smith, who shared a room with Mrs. Pritt, commented, “Oh, I miss her so much. I’ll never have another roommate like her. She loved everybody and everybody loved her,” Smith continued. “When people passed our door she would smile and say ‘Hello’ to them. Lots of times they would stop to talk with Arveda even if they didn’t know her.”
Loving sentiments abounded at the remembrance service held for this matriarch of the Keyser Church of the Brethren. The Rev. Dwight Ramsey, current church pastor, shared that Mrs. Pritt was baptized and received into the membership of the local church in 1941. He further stated, “Mrs. Pritt could have written a textbook on practical theology.”
“I called her the Saint of Barnes Street,” commented the Rev Ron Wyrick, former pastor of the local church. “This lady led a busy, active and productive life. She had discovered inner strength and a strong faith,” continued Wyrick.
“She helped me to grow in trust and faith. Her life of active faith is what set her apart. This is a celebration of someone who really learned what life is all about,” concluded Wyrick.
In eulogizing her great aunt, Florida resident Joanne Ross shared an experience from her youth.
“When I was a student I wrote an essay about Aunt Arveda and entered it in a national contest. Out of 12,000 entries, Aunt Arveda won the contest,” Ross announced proudly.
“Aunt Arveda always had an opinion and she quickly shared it with others,” continued Ross.
In concluding her remarks, Ross added, “My Aunt Arveda lived out the scripture found in Colossians: 'Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.’”
Another relative shared that she had asked Mrs. Pritt to share her secret for longevity. To this query the witty lady replied, “I don’t smoke. I don’t drink and I don’t chase after the men.”
Someone else added that it seemed as though Mrs. Pritt should be present with a group of her friends making emergency kits for the earthquake victims in Haiti.
Charlotte Hott, president of the local Church Women United organization, told the assembly that Mrs. Pritt was the driving force behind Church Women United in its early years and that she remained a primary force until her health curtailed some of her activities.
“She was given the Valiant Woman award. That is the highest honor that can be presented to a member of our organization and it is bestowed sparingly. Arveda was so deserving of that honor,” Hott explained.
Babysitting was another of Mrs. Pritt's favorite activities and both Elrose Smith and Sharon Floyd shared remembrances of the times that she cared for their children. “She planned fun activities for the children; but she was also a disciplinarian,” related Smith. “She didn’t allow misbehavior.”
“She told me that Jack and I needed a break away from the children and that she would baby sit for us, explained Floyd. “She never came empty-handed. She brought games, craft materials and books — all the things that children love and the children loved her,” said Floyd.
Smith also shared that Shane Riggs, managing editor of Allegany Magazine, had once interviewed Mrs. Pritt for a feature story in that publication. During the interview Riggs asked her what was the greatest change that she had witnessed in her lifetime.
“She answered that it was the short dresses that the women wear — especially on 'Dancing With the Stars,'” said Smith with a chuckle.
Mike McCabe, who had known Mrs. Pritt his entire life, shared memories of visiting her home as a child and eating her delicious lemon meringue pie. “Mrs. Pritt was very particular. Any of you who ever cut her grass know this. She had a certain way that she wanted her grass cut and she explained it to you in detail,” quipped McCabe.
Fellow church member Edith Ludwick said that she had known Mrs. Pritt since 1946, when she married Carl Ludwick and moved to Keyser.
“She invited Carl and me to come to church,” said Ludwick.
A gentleman from Elkins told the group that his family had been long time friends of Arveda and Doc Pritt. “They came to our house in Elkins after they got married. I guess that was their wedding trip,” he explained.
On the way to her final resting place in the Lahmansville Cemetery, the funeral cortege took Mrs. Pritt one last time past the campus of the Burlington United Methodist Family Services where she was employed from 1929 until 1940. She established strong bonds during those years with the children residing in what was then called the Burlington Children’s Home. In fact, she hosted an annual reunion picnic at her home for alumni of the facility — an event that usually attracted more than 100 attendees.  She continued this tradition until she was 100 years of age.
Even after her final tribute had ended, people continued to talk about this amazing lady. Charlotte Hott shared that Mrs. Pritt, although not a wealthy woman, always had a small gift or favor for each lady attending Church Women United events.
“You couldn’t get ahead of her with gifts; but SHE was really the gift,” stated Hott. “She organized sewing sessions at her church where ladies of the  community gathered to make lap robes, gowns for infants, cancer pads — anything that was needed,” added Hott.
“She made wonderful grape jelly and shared it with everyone,” remembered Hott.
Retired Judge Don Hott called her his hero because of her remarkable longevity.
Jill Gardner, who grew up knowing Mrs. Pritt in the church, shared  that she saved broken crayons, melted them and made homemade candles for the children in the church.
“I still have candles that she made and so does my daughter, Heidi. We also have lap robes that she gave to us and to my mother and grandmother,” Gardner added.
“Mrs. Pritt did not believe in wasting anything,” Gardner explained. “Besides recycling crayons she also saved the colorful tablecloths used at our church dinners to use for her picnics for the Burlington alumni.”
This resourceful lady also saved and collected old calendars and Christmas cards. She didn’t hoard these things; but, rather, she compiled picture albums for the residents of Hopemont to enjoy. She was also well-known for her Polaroid camera and her love of photographs. She would always take two pictures — one for her and one to share.
Always giving and caring, this lady was a confidante and counselor to many over the decades. She comforted the souls and warmed the hearts of countless numbers of people.  I was blessed to be one of those recipients.  I have been inspired by quite a few people thus far in my life. Arveda Pritt is right there with those that rank at the very top of that list.
Each year, the fourth Saturday in October is set aside as Make a Difference Day in this country. On this day everyone is encouraged to make a conscience effort to do something to help someone else.
Every day of Arveda Pritt's life was Make a Difference Day and all of us who knew her have been touched in a profound way by her life and her example.
 Editor’s note: This is the final part of Sheila Golden’s tribute to the late Arveda Pritt, 102, who died July 23.
The Rev. Dwight Ramsey, current pastor of Keyser Church of the Brethren, shared that Mrs. Pritt was baptized and received into the membership of the local church in 1941. He further stated, “Mrs. Pritt could have written a textbook on practical theology.”
“I called her the Saint of Barnes Street,” commented the Rev Ron Wyrick, former pastor of the local church. “This lady led a busy, active and productive life. She had discovered inner strength and a strong faith,” continued Wyrick.
“She helped me to grow in trust and faith. Her life of active faith is what set her apart. This is a celebration of someone who really learned what life is all about,” concluded Wyrick.
In eulogizing her great aunt, Florida resident Joanne Ross shared an experience from her youth. “When I was a student I wrote an essay about Aunt Arveda and entered it in a national contest. Out of 12,000 entries, Aunt Arveda won the contest,” Ross announced proudly.
“Aunt Arveda always had an opinion and she quickly shared it with others,” continued Ross.
In concluding her remarks, Ross added, “My Aunt Arveda lived out the scripture found in Colossians: 'Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.’”
Another relative shared that she had asked Mrs. Pritt to share her secret for longevity. To this query the witty lady replied, “I don’t smoke. I don’t drink and I don’t chase after the men.”
Someone else added that it seemed as though Mrs. Pritt should be present with a group of her friends making emergency kits for the earthquake victims in Haiti.
Charlotte Hott, president of the local Church Women United organization, told the assembly that Mrs. Pritt was the driving force behind Church Women United in its early years and that she remained a primary force until her health curtailed some of her activities.
“She was given the Valiant Woman award. That is the highest honor that can be presented to a member of our organization and it is bestowed sparingly. Arveda was so deserving of that honor,” Hott explained.
Babysitting was another of Mrs. Pritt's favorite activities and both Elrose Smith and Sharon Floyd shared remembrances of the times that she cared for their children. “She planned fun activities for the children; but she was also a disciplinarian,” related Smith. “She didn’t allow misbehavior.”
“She told me that Jack and I needed a break away from the children and that she would baby sit for us, explained Floyd. “She never came empty-handed. She brought games, craft materials and books, all the things that children love, and the children
loved her,” said Floyd.
Smith also shared that Shane Riggs, managing editor of Allegany Magazine, had once interviewed Mrs. Pritt for a feature story in that publication. During the interview Riggs asked her what was the greatest change that she had witnessed in her lifetime.
“She answered that it was the short dresses that the women wear — especially on 'Dancing With the Stars,'” said Smith with a chuckle.
Mike McCabe, who had known Mrs. Pritt his entire life, shared memories of visiting her home as a child and eating her delicious lemon meringue pie. “Mrs. Pritt was very particular. Any of you who ever cut her grass know this. She had a certain way that she wanted her grass cut and she explained it to you in detail,” quipped McCabe.
Fellow church member Edith Ludwick said that she had known Mrs. Pritt since 1946, when she married Carl Ludwick and moved to Keyser.
“She invited Carl and me to come to church,” said Ludwick.
A gentleman from Elkins told the group that his family had been long time friends of Arveda and Doc Pritt. “They came to our house in Elkins after they got married. I guess that was their wedding trip,” he explained.
 
On the way to her final resting place in the Lahmansville Cemetery, the funeral cortege took Mrs. Pritt one last time past the campus of the Burlington United Methodist Family Services where she was employed from 1929 until 1940. She established strong bonds during those years with the children residing in what was then called the Burlington Children’s Home. In fact, she hosted an annual reunion picnic at her home for alumni of the facility — an event that usually attracted more than 100 attendees.  She continued this tradition until she was 100 years of age.
Even after her final tribute had ended, people continued to talk about this amazing lady. Charlotte Hott shared that Mrs. Pritt, although not a wealthy woman, always had a small gift or favor for each lady attending Church Women United events.
“You couldn’t get ahead of her with gifts; but SHE was really the gift,” stated Hott. “She organized sewing sessions at her church where ladies of the  community gathered to make lap robes, gowns for infants, cancer pads — anything that was needed,” added Hott.
“She made wonderful grape jelly and shared it with everyone,” remembered Hott.
Retired Judge Don Hott called her his hero because of her remarkable longevity.
Jill Gardner, who grew up knowing Mrs. Pritt in the church, shared  that she saved broken crayons, melted them and made homemade candles for the children in the church.
“I still have candles that she made and so does my daughter, Heidi. We also have lap robes that she gave to us and to my mother and grandmother,” Gardner added.
“Mrs. Pritt did not believe in wasting anything,” Gardner explained. “Besides recycling crayons she also saved the colorful tablecloths used at our church dinners to use for her picnics for the Burlington alumni.”
This resourceful lady also saved and collected old calendars and Christmas cards. She didn’t hoard these things; but, rather, she compiled picture albums for the residents of Hopemont to enjoy. She was also well-known for her Polaroid camera and her love of photographs. She would always take two pictures — one for her and one to share.
Always giving and caring, this lady was a confidante and counselor to many over the decades. She comforted the souls and warmed the hearts of countless numbers of people.  I was blessed to be one of those recipients.  I have been inspired by quite a few people thus far in my life. Arveda Pritt is right there with those that rank at the very top of that list.
Each year, the fourth Saturday in October is set aside as Make a Difference Day in this country. On this day everyone is encouraged to make a conscience effort to do something to help someone else.
Every day of Arveda Pritt's life was Make a Difference Day and all of us who knew her have been touched in a profound way by her life and her example.