Dorothea Maria Ricketts Ricks was born June 9, 1946, at Frederick Emergency Hospital to the late Wilbur Allen Ricketts and Dorothy Elizabeth Ricketts. She departed this life peacefully on August 24, 2026, at Holy Cross Hospital. Dorothea attended Poolesville Junior-Senior High, where she graduated in 1964 while serving as Library Assistant, a member of the YWCA, and President and Secretary of the Future Nurses Club. From there, she attended the Hannah Harrison Career School, graduating in 1965 with a diploma in Practical Nursing. Dorothea joined Elijah United Methodist Church, singing in the choir, serving as an Usher, and presiding as President of its Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF). She loved dancing and was a true NASCAR fan. She met and married Vincent M. Ricks on October 16, 1967. This union was blessed with two children: Eric Ricks and Christina Ricks-Steward.

Dorothea worked at Sibley Hospital (1965-1966); Holy Cross Hospital in the Intensive Care and Precepted Intermediate Care and Telemetry Care Units (1966-1989); Charter House Assisted Living as Charge Nurse and Interim Director of Nursing (1989-1995); and Ardent Courts as Resident Services Supervisor for the Memory Impaired (1997-2001). She ended her career at Hillhaven Nursing Center (2001-2015) while helping open an Assisted Living Unit.

Predeceased by her sister Ann, Dorothea leaves to mourn two children, Eric Ricks and Christina Ricks-Steward (John); two granddaughters, Tanika Russell and Sherrie Ricks; four great-grandchildren, Anthony, James III, Tanaysia and A’Mia; four sisters Delores, Janice, Penny, and Jacqueline; three brothers Wilbur Jr. (Colleen), Stephen, and Donald (Cathy).

She leaves two aunts: Juanita Honemond, and Katie Harper; one Uncle Dwight (Ricketts) (Jeannie); six nephews Wilbur III, Matthew, Michael (Dawn), Tony (Andrea), Marcus, and Jordan; five nieces Caren, Cindy, Gabrielle, Betina, and Nicole; Godson Jason-Griffin; loyal friends Barbara Jefferson, the late Norma Houser, Jo Ann Everly, Peggy Tinkle, Sharon O’Conner, and a host of cousins and other relatives and friends.