We at RITTA are saddened to report that on Tuesday, September 5th, our founder, Kay Ritta, passed away.

Kay was a powerhouse of a person. You felt it in her striking physical presence – tall, strong and beautiful – and in her determination to succeed. Through her intelligence, creativity, daring and drive, she created Ritta & Associates (R&A) and turned it into one of New Jersey’s leading marketing design companies.

Kay started her graphic design career in 1973, working out of her house; by 1976, R&A had four employees. In 1979, she purchased what was to become the iconic home of R&A: the little white church with red doors on Grand Avenue in Englewood, complete with pipe organ. One of the first design studios to embrace computer technology, R&A grew, building a roster of prestigious clients and garnering numerous national and international awards, year after year, as one of New Jersey’s leading marketing design and advertising agencies. In 2002, in acknowledgement of her achievements, Kay was inducted into the New Jersey Advertising Club Hall of Fame.

Kay also volunteered much of her time to helping other organizations grow. An active member of the community, she not only served on Englewood city boards, but was honored in 1994 for her contribution to the rebirth of the John Harms Center for the Arts, and again in 2008 by its successor, the Bergen Performing Arts Center. In addition to the Harms Center and BergenPAC, R&A designed the logos for the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center and Englewood Public Library. Kay also found time to write and illustrate a children’s book, “La Montagne Magique,” which was published in France.

In 2009, Kay retired, turning the reins of R&A over to the next generation. In homage to her, our name became RITTA. We have grown and thrived. But we will always remember and revere Kay –our founder and friend.