Colleen Ritzer believed that being good to others was a wonderful legacy to leave behind. Now, the Danvers High School library will carry her name and serve as a lasting place of learning, inspiration, and community that reflects the kindness and compassion she shared with so many.

On Monday, August 24, Danvers High School (DHS) held a dedication ceremony for the library named in memory of math teacher Colleen Ritzer. 

“In her short 24 years, Colleen has created a legacy that Danvers High School has fully adopted,” DHS teacher Julie Glynn said when the plan was initially approved. “We believe this is a meaningful step to show the family, staff, and community that Colleen will always be remembered.”

At the dedication Glynn shared, “I can think of no more fitting place to carry Colleen’s name. As someone who believed deeply in education and found joy in inspiring her students, it feels especially meaningful that her legacy will live on in a space dedicated to learning, inspiration, and community.”

Glynn also thanked all those involved but shared a special thank you for the Ritzer family.

“But the truest thank you belongs to the Ritzer family, for raising an incredible daughter whose kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness continue to touch so many lives.” She continued, “And of course, to Colleen. Colleen once shared, ‘No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind. Colleen, you did more than succeed in living those words. You have left a legacy, one that continues to inspire kindness, caring, and goodness not only in this community, but in communities far beyond your own.”

“We are grateful to Danvers for this honor and for their continued efforts to carry on Colleen’s legacy in their community, and are especially grateful to Julie in her efforts to make this project a reality,” said Peggie Ritzer, Colleen’s mother, who is pictured here with Tom Ritzer (Colleen’s father) and Laura Ritzer (Colleen’s sister). Peggie was a guest on  Morning MAGIC with Sue and Kendra on Friday, August 28 to discuss the library. Listen now.

The Ritzer family also offered their sincere gratitude to  math teacher and Colleen’s friend Julie Glynn and former principal Adam Federico who spearheaded this project, the Town of Danvers, the School Committee, the DECA students of the Be Kind Legacy team, Megan, Natalie, and Alejandro, who raised the money for the wall mural, all of the individual and corporate donors, and all those on the design committee and of course the Danvers community for this beautiful honor.

Have you ever seen 1,000 pink golf balls? Get ready to do just that at this fun event benefiting the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund.

By simply purchasing a pink golf ball, you could win up to $5,000! On Sunday, September 13, 2026 at approximately 2:00 p.m., 1,000 numbered pink golf balls will be dropped from a helicopter onto Sarkisian Farms Driving Range in Andover. The ball that lands in the designated hole, or closest to the hole, wins! (If there are multiple winners, those winners will split the cash prize.)

While you’re there, enjoy some of their delicious Richardson’s ice cream or Richie’s slush! Ted Teichert will provide the music.

Someone who attends in person will win a 4-pack of tickets to the September 27th Boston Red Sox game! This is a FREE drawing, and is entirely separate from the golf ball sales. Just show up, fill out an entry form (must be age 18+), and stay for the live drawing!

In the event of inclement weather, the organizers will randomly pick one winner. 

OFFICIAL RULES: Must be 18 years of age or older and a U.S. citizen to enter. Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund board members and their immediate family members are not eligible to win, nor are event sponsors or their immediate family members or employees. All taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner(s). You do not need to be present to win. A maximum of 1,000 golf balls will be sold. The ball or balls that land in the designated hole, or closest to the hole, win. The $5,000 prize is the gross (total) amount awarded. In the event that more than one ball lands in the designated hole and there is more than one winner, the winners will share the prize in equal portions. If the helicopter ball drop is cancelled for any reason including inclement weather, one ball will be randomly drawn to win the $5,000 prize. All decisions relating to the event and the determination of the winners will be made by the event’s sponsors and are final.

(Andover, MA) Thirteen years after her death, Colleen Ritzer is still remembered not for how she died, but how she lived.

The parents of the beloved Danvers High School teacher would not allow it to be any other way.

“Colleen was a very positive person, and we try very hard to carry that on for her,” said Tom Ritzer, Colleen’s father. “It’s the least we can do.”

Tom and Peggie Ritzer have not done a lot of interviews since their daughter was killed by a Danvers High student in 2013. They sat down with NewsCenter 5’s Maria Stephanos in their Andover home for one reason: for Colleen Ritzer.

“We do want the positive story told of Colleen because it should be about Colleen. It shouldn’t be about what happened to her,” Peggie Ritzer said. “It should be about who she was and the impact that her life made on so many and just continues to make now.”

Watch this interview.