Myra Lynn (Pitman) Ratzesberger

Myra Lynn Ratzesberger died at her home in Ben Lomond, CA, on June 4 2026, of AL Amyloidosis at the age of 69. Throughout her journey, she showed courage, positivity, and hope in the face of this progressive and fatal disease.

Myra was born in Walnut Creek, CA, in 1957, the daughter of Paul Marsh Pitman Jr. and Carolynn Rose Pitman (née Zumwalt). As a child, she spent her time collecting stamps, practicing ballet, and writing stories and plays. She loved learning the names of flowers from her father, a biologist and botanist, and held special memories of family camping trips in the Sierras, Yosemite and Camp Unalayee in the Trinity Alps. Myra graduated from Merced High School in 1975, where she discovered a love for theater and acting. Her dramatic flair was honed abroad when she studied drama and mime in England, and the French language at the Alliance Française in Paris.

She married Hank Ratzesberger in 1983 in Merced, California, in a ceremony officiated by her grandfather, Paul Pitman, a Methodist minister. She was a devoted mother to her children, Sarah and Jeremy, and became an honorary "neighborhood mom" to the many kids who came over to play as they grew up in Albany, California. She was always there with a listening ear and healthy snacks.

Professionally, Myra was a dedicated preschool educator, teaching in communities from Scotts Valley to Del Mar. After a hiatus, she returned to college at age 50 to complete her degree in Early Childhood Education from California State University, Stanislaus, graduating Cum Laude. Myra was deeply passionate about teaching children to care for the natural world, emphasizing hands-on lessons in gardening, worm composting, and recycling. Her hero was Fred Rogers, who famously believed that the most important lesson a child can learn is that they can give and receive love. Guided by this philosophy, she reminded others to listen to and honor children for who they are, and who they want to become.

After retiring from teaching, Myra relocated to Ben Lomond to be near her grandchildren. She lovingly provided childcare for them, and as the kids always say, she "never showed up without a project"-bringing endless crafts, painting, Play-Doh and clay.

In her personal life, Myra loved God and was deeply rooted in her church communities. Over the years, she served as a high school youth group leader at the United Methodist Church of Berkeley, taught preschool at Saint Mark's Church in Goleta, and sang in choirs from El Segundo to Ben Lomond. She loved singing the hymns of her childhood. Along with her Christian upbringing, she held the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda close to her heart and loved attending services at the Self-Realization Fellowship in Encinitas, where she joyfully helped create floral designs for the altars and services.

Myra is preceded in death by her parents Paul Marsh Pitman Jr. and Carolynn Rose Pitman. Myra is survived by her husband Louis (Hank) Ratzesberger III; her daughter Sarah and her husband Nathan Long; her son Jeremy Ratzesberger and his wife Petek Kuscu; and her grandchildren Sierra, Henry and Addison Long. Also surviving her is her brother Paul Marsh Pitman III, and his wife Dianne Pitman. She also leaves behind cherished nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Ben Lomond, California, on September 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM. For those unable to attend in person, please email myra57celebration@gmail.com to access a remote viewing link.

Published in Press Banner · June 30, 2026