Celebration of life for Newport doctor set for Oct. 6

A public service is scheduled for a Newport Beach doctor who was killed while riding her bike along Newport Coast Drive, according to Greater Newport Physicians.

The public celebration of life for Dr. Catherine “Kit” Campion Ritz is set for 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at Mariners Church Community Center, said Amanda Weig, Greater Newport Physicians’ director of marketing and public relations.

Mariners Church is at 5001 Newport Coast Drive in Irvine.

Family members of Campion Ritz have asked that in lieu of flowers, people donate to the Semper Fi Fund, Casa Teresa, Wounded Warrior Project or St. Kieran Catholic School in El Cajon, Weig said. More information is available on the website for Newport Family Medicine.

Campion Ritz, 57, of Irvine died after a truck struck her Sept. 15. Three days later, Newport Beach police arrested Michael Jason Lopez, 39, of Anaheim on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter in connection with Campion Ritz’s death.

Lopez faces charges of felony hit-and-run causing serious bodily injury and misdemeanor hit-and-run without gross negligence, court records show.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30