Our Sweet Emilie

Hi, My name is Jessica Harmless and Emilie was my best friend for the past 35 years. On Tuesday, January 30, 2024 our beloved Emilie Ritchie, at the age of 46, fell asleep and never woke up. The family is faced with great tragedy of this sudden and unexpected loss with incredibly heavy hearts and irreparable grief.

Losing a mom so unexpectedly is something unimaginable, and something that will take a lifetime to heal from. This family will never be the same without her, and neither will anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. Emilie was a friend to all. Her love language was food! She could often be found cooking or baking for others. She finally made her dream come true last year, opening The Zionsville Bake Shop and becoming co-owner of that business. She had the most caring heart and would do anything for anyone. She was incredibly kind and caring, witty and fun, loving and hard working. She worked so hard every day of her life to support her family that she loved so much.

Her passing leaves behind the family that she worked so very hard to support. She leaves behind two children ages 14 and 20, (one in high school and the other in college), along with the father of her children, who has now lost the love of his life. His children have lost a mom, who was not only a mom, but also an amazing friend to many. They grieve for the loss of someone they loved so deeply.

With all of the emotional pain and stress that a death brings, it also brings financial burdens. We are trying to raise money for Emilie and Jason’s daughters. Some of you may or may not know but their youngest daughter has some ongoing medical conditions and their oldest is currently a Sophomore at USI. The family had a small insurance policy that will help cover the funeral expenses but the money raised through this fundraiser will go directly to the girls to help alleviate some of the financial hardship for the future being that Jason will now be the only source of financial support for the family. Please do not mistake this with the other GoFundMe page that was started for the Zionsville Bake Shop to help the shop with the expenses related to the passing of Emilie. This fundraiser is strictly for Neva and Skylar Ritchie.

It is in these times of loss and sadness when people come together to help one another make it through and to support the people we care for. Any support you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Emilie will be so deeply missed by every single person whose path she crossed and we hope that the memory of her kind, wonderful soul will live on forever. Please keep the family in your prayers during this devastating time.