Ryma Frederika Juliana Pitts, née Aguw, of Bristow, Virginia passed away on August 19th, 2017 at the age of 45. Born in Indonesia, Ryma Aguw attended elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools in Jakarta. She studied French and Business Administration at Tarakanita College, earning her degree in three years. After interning with a real estate development company, Ryma accepted a job with an investment firm. In 1998 she joined the World Bank staff, working initially in their Jakarta office, and traveling to many countries. Following temporary assignments in Washington DC, Ryma transferred there permanently in 2008, and remained in the World Bank’s employ for the rest of her life.
In 2009 Ryma married Rowland Whitney Pitts at Saint Johns Episcopal Church in Centreville, Virginia, and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas, Virginia at the time of her passing. Always a devoted parent, Ryma loved to volunteer at her children’s schools, as well as at church. She enjoyed music of all kinds, singing in particular, painting, loved to travel, and held a black belt in karate.
Ryma was preceded in death by a daughter, Eirene Angelica, and is mourned by those she left behind: her parents, Rudolf and Mathilda (Makaluas) Aguw of Jakarta, Indonesia; her brothers, James, Johan (Ella) and Andrey, also of Jakarta, Indonesia; her husband Randy and daughters Jessica and Angel (of whom she was immensely proud), and countless friends and colleagues.
Ryma expressed a desire to thank Doctor Scott Rose, as well as the nurses at both the Women’s Center at Fairfax INOVA hospital and the Adler Center in Aldie, Virginia. She also wanted to thank her colleagues and friends at the World Bank who both challenged and nurtured her over the years, and the friends who supported her so lovingly, not only at the end, but always.
As an active, life-long Christian, Ryma has certainly heard the master say, “well done, my good and faithful servant.”