Friends, family remember woman killed by ambulance as caring, colorful

ELYRIA — Carol Pitzer was remembered as a caring, loving and colorful individual during a vigil at Riverview Plaza Thursday evening. The 74-year-old, lifelong Elyria resident was struck and killed by a LifeCare Ambulance in the apartment building's parking lot on May 13. She was a resident of the apartment complex, alongside her partner. Witnesses said she fell from her motorized scooter in front of the oncoming ambulance. The crash remains under investigation. Gathered around a memorial that sprung up for the pink-haired woman who was known for her chicken paprikash, coconut cake and gravy recipes and giving demeanor, friends and family shared memories. "We really don't know what happened, but this is all about Carol," vigil organizer Mandi Jason, of Sheffield Lake, said, adding that Pitzer would love seeing her friends and family together. Jason handed out candles with Pitzer's photo attached, but the wind kept the candles from staying lit. With a laugh, attendees agreed it was Pitzer blowing them out. "She left her family, her grandkids too early," Jason said. "She's in paradise —" "Laughing at us," Pitzer's daughter Angela Fields, of Elyria, interjected. Jason's mother, Karen Biltz, also of Sheffield Lake, was a longtime friend of Pitzer. Speaking to the dozens gathered around the collection of bright flowers and tea candles in the plaza's courtyard, Biltz asked each attendee to share what word came to mind when thinking of Pitzer. Overwhelmingly, friends and family said she was kind and caring. Some adding she was an avid Steelers fan, and puzzle-lover; another called her a queen. Looking at the residents of the apartment building, Angela Fields told them her mother "loved it here." Pitzer's son-in-law Jeff Fields said he had known Pitzer for more than 30 years and remembered her as a loving, caring and passionate woman with a sense of humor. He remembered the last time he talked to Pitzer, when he was greeted with "How's it going, old man?" "I said 'pretty good, How are you doing, older woman?'" he said with a laugh. "She had a funny sense of humor." He remembered camping trips — one where Pitzer and Angela Fields tried to pick him up. She lived for summer and camping, gardening and being out with friends, her loved ones said. Angela Fields said when her sons were growing up, two of them had health issues prompting frequent doctor visits — and their grandmother was always waiting when they were done to be the one to cuddle them. "I think it hit me the other day when we went to the store and I realized I could never call her just to go shopping with me anymore," Angela Fields said. "And the holidays when she can't make gravy … That was her job was to make the gravy." Services for Pitzer are at 12:30 p.m. today at Liston Funeral Home, 36403 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville. A celebration of life will follow from 3-7 p.m. at South Central Park, 7565 Avon Belden Road, North Ridgeville. Attendees are asked to wear bright colors in Pitzer's memory. A GoFundMe has been set up to help defray funeral expenses, it can be reached at shorturl.at/z6W62. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.