Anne Jones Ratledge, 96, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Encore of Wilmington Skilled Nursing in Wilmington, DE.
Born on July 1, 1929, in Dover, DE, Anne was the daughter of the late Edward G. P. Jones and Mildred Johnson Jones. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Education, launching a dedicated 33-year career teaching elementary school in the Cape Henlopen School District. Even after her “retirement” in 1994, Anne’s energetic spirit kept her moving forward; she transitioned into a second career as a travel agent for Rehoboth Travel for several years.
Anne didn’t just book travel for others—she explored the globe herself. Chasing the adventurous spirit of her childhood hero, Amelia Earhart, Anne traveled all over the world alongside friends, church groups, and her two children. She and her late husband, Donald Stewart Ratledge, Sr. (a Delaware River Pilot), made their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where Anne fully embraced coastal life, famously going to the beach every single day during the summer.
Her faith and community were central to her life. Anne was a deeply active member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Rehoboth Beach, volunteering and serving on the vestry and sacristy for decades as well as a frequent congregant of St. Peter’s in Lewes, Delaware until moving to Newark and joining St. Nicholas Episcopal Church.
Anne was also a strong competitor and an avid American Contract Bridge player. She competed locally and traveled to tournaments, ultimately achieving her life-long goal of becoming a Gold Life Master of the ACBL. Her sharp mind and love for the game kept her playing weekly until just a few months before her passing.
To say Anne was a Philadelphia sports fan would be an understatement. She was a lifelong devotee of the Philadelphia Phillies and especially of her beloved Philadelphia Eagles. Her dedication was legendary: on December 19, 1948, Anne and her father braved a historic snowstorm, driving from Delmar, DE, to Philadelphia just to watch the Eagles win their very first NFL Championship in a blizzard! Through seven decades of thick and thin, she remained a die-hard Eagles fan and was truly overjoyed to watch them win their first Super Bowl exactly seventy years later in 2018.
She is survived by her daughter, Sally Anne Ratledge; her son, Donald Stewart Ratledge, Jr.; her niece, Patricia Childress; her grandniece, Kristy Marvel and her lifelong friends Michelle, David, Florence, Joan, Natalie, Helen, Carol, Jimmy, Melissa, Randy, Sue, Nancy, Rick, Wanda, Kelly, as well as her many, many dear friends from All Saints’, St. Peter’s, and St. Nicholas’ Episcopal churches.
Above all Anne was a “life of the party” soul who loved entertaining, dining out, and being surrounded by family and friends. In strict keeping with her characteristically witty and independent spirit, she insisted upon no formal funeral services and absolutely no “celebration of life” after her passing. In her own words she firmly instructed her children numerous times: *“Don’t you dare have a party for me that I can’t be there for!"*So, please lift a glass of wine or beverage of your choice and say “Cheers Anne” as she is in a better place and blessing us all with her love, warmth, and humor!
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
