Marcia Southard-Ritter "was the glue who held our council together," according to former Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson.

Southard-Ritter, a lifelong Cape Girardeau resident and former city council member, died on Nov. 27 at the age of 73.

"She was an absolute servant," Knudtson said. "She didn't play politics."

Southard-Ritter was first elected in 2002 and served two four-year terms on the council.

She was a member of the council when women first outnumbered men on the seven-member council in April 2005.

Knudtson commended her for the research she did in regards to city business as well as her drive to help the community as a whole.

"She didn't see any ward lines," he said. "She didn't see any political lines."

According to Knudtson, Southard-Ritter played a large role in the construction of the Shawnee Park Center in south Cape.

"She felt so strongly that we needed a community center in that part of town," said Loretta Schneider, Southard-Ritter's fellow city council member.

"She will be missed," Schneider said.

Our thoughts are with Southard-Ritter's family and friends.

And may we all strive to be as committed to our community as she proved to be.