Ronnyka Ricks

Ronnyka Shiraile Ricks (Boowie-Nyka-GiGi), age 48, of West Hartford Connecticut entered into eternal rest, Monday, February 22, 2021, in Hartford Hospital, in the loving arms of her mother Bishop Dr. Shirley Clemon-Wright. Ronnyka fought a fierce battle with multiple severe medical and surgical complications from three comas she experienced in August 2020, November 2020, December 2020 and January 2021. Ronnyka was born very premature on October 9, 1972, in Waterbury, Connecticut to Bishop Dr. Shirley Clemon-Wright and the late Ronald Dean Ricks. Ronnyka endured a handicapped childhood of being born without thumbs on both hands and her father being a wounded disabled Vietnam war veteran. Ronnyka was a patient at the old Newington Crippled Children’s Hospital (Connecticut Children’s Hospital) and Shriners Hospital, where she learned and became a great diver and award-winning swimmer. She was very brilliant and was always a high-honors student and won the same two spelling bees that her son Alandre won at Knights of Columbus. Ronnyka loved all kinds of books – her mother taught her speed reading. She had a strong passion and love for encyclopedias, dictionaries, Bibles, libraries and museums. She also loved Broadway plays and shows, loved visiting Law Libraries and various museums in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. Ronnyka graduated from Plainville High School. She also graduated from University of Connecticut Law School Paralegal Program. She earned two degrees from Tunxis Community College: A Paralegal Degree and Combined Human Services-Human Resources Degrees. She also completed a Business and Computer Management certificate at Tunxis. Ronnyka was a faithful and devoted Christian plus a life-long member of The Church of God in Christ. She loved all Gospel praise and worship music and attended a lot of the artists concerts. She loved fine-dining and great food, and was a big foodie partner with her sons and mother. She loved to help Wilbert and Shirley plan very large and elaborate family parties. Ronnyka was predeceased by both dads: Ronald Ricks and Wilbert Wright. She was raised as an only child by Wilbert and Shirley Wright. She’d travel extensively with them to England, The West Indies islands, Canada and Mexico. Due to Shirley’s nurturing and not treating her as handicapped, Ronnyka became a very accomplished, successful and exceptional Senior Disability Special Officer for Binder and Binder Attorneys where she worked many years in the Federal Courts with people who had permanent disabilities. She also worked many years with MetLife in medical and surgical disabilities. Before Ronnyka became permanently disabled, she was employed at Standard Insurance as a Short-Term Disability Benefits Examining Officer. She leaves behind to mourn her loss – her mother, Bishop Dr. Shirley Clemon-Wright, her two sons, Alandre Trent Ravon Ricks, a U.S. Marine Corps Afghanistan War Veteran of California and Amari Trevon Izayah Hales-Ricks, High School Senior. Granddaughters, Imani Michelle Ricks and Aaliyah Jade Ricks of California who call her “GiGi,” Ronald’s children and her siblings, Monique Smith, Romain Petteway and Shannon Petteway. Wilbert‘s daughter, Eugenie Barbara Wright. From the Ricks family: Aunt Clara Ricks, Uncle Ralph Ricks, Aunt Sylvia Oliver, Aunt Colleen Ricks. From the Clemon family: Kelly and Audrey Clemon, Ladell, Lenora, Mildred, Ellender, Toni, Gloria, Doretha, Harriet, Gwen and Velma. She was predeceased by grandparents Sydney and Willa Ricks, Bishop Tony Clemon, Lillian Clemon and Annie Ruth. Her best friends for over 35 years Jodi Ward and Michelle Nelson. She referred to Jodi’s parents, Mr. Joseph Ward and Mrs. Elizabeth and Nkonoki Ward, as grandpa and grandma. Ronnyka was starting her own foundation called “Orange Angels” to help research Vietnam Agent Orange effects on Vietnam War Veteran families. A very large host of relatives, family, and friends live across America, Canada, England and Jamaica. Ronnyka’s family is incredibly grateful for the kind-hearted support and healthcare delivered by Hartford Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital, Saint Raphael hospital and Hospital for Special Care Medical and Surgical team in ICUs, transplant units and all step-down units.

Ronnyka’s Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021. Visitation at 10am. Service at 11am. Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ. 68 Bishop Tony Clemon Ave. 68 Berkeley Ave. Waterbury, CT 06704. Per CDC Guidelines, a face covering is required. Please keep a safe distance and stay at home if you are sick. Arrangements entrusted to Colonial Funerals 270 West Main St. Waterbury, CT 06702. James R. Sanders, Funeral Director. Condolences may be expressed at Colonialfunerals.com.