Mary Margaret Ridge

Obituary
Mary Margaret Ridge
1926-2012

Mary Margaret Ridge (nee Blackmore) beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister passed away peacefully in her home in Newport Beach, CA on February, 5, 2012. She was 85 years old.

Born June 26, 1926 in Los Angeles CA. Mary Margaret graduated from Mt. St. Mary’s, traveled to Hawaii, and worked in the banking industry. She met her future husband, James Francis Ridge at the Coping Club, a men’s Catholic boarding home in Long Beach. They married on June 23, 1956 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Los Angeles and the following year the first of their seven children was born. The family moved with Jim’s company to Michigan and New Jersey before returning to Southern California, where Mary lived the past 43 years.

Mary was actively involved in her children’s school and Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church. She had many artistic talents and enjoyed her various social groups. For decades she was a committed volunteer and bookkeeper at Casa Teresa, a charity that provides a comprehensive and transformational residence program for homeless, pregnant women.

Mary’s greatest passion, commitment and devotion was to her husband of 50 years, Jim Ridge, their seven children and numerous grandchildren and to her precious brothers and sisters and their families, with whom she was especially close.

Mary’s constant, peaceful grace, quiet confidence and soft sense of humor was a tremendous blessing to all whose lives she touched.

Mary is survived by her seven children and their families: Jim (Kimberly) Ridge and their children: Jeff, Megan, Kelsey and Sam; Mary Lou Peters (Dave) and their kids, Chris and Lindsay; Karen O’Connor (Tim) and their children: Ian (Katie and great-granddaughter Brooklyn), Erin, Molly and Coley; Steve Ridge (Shelley) and their children, Allison and Austin; Tom Ridge (Kristen) and their daughter Riley; Christina Frost (Garin) and their kids, Caden and Cassidy; and Michael Ridge (Michelle) and their daughter, Alexis. Mary is also survived by her brothers Bob (Gwenna), Don (Iris), Allen (Maureen) and sisters Pat Trevillyan and Eileen (Al) Bender; sisters in law Ann and Ethel Ridge, and Betty Gloekler. Mary was predeceased by her husband Jim Ridge, grandson Scott Peters, and brothers in law Jim Trevillyan, Joe and Bob Ridge, and Jim Gloekler and sister in law Kay Gloekler.

Family and friends will gather for mass and celebration of Mary’s life on Feb. 11 at 2:00 at Our Lady Queen of Angeles Catholic Church, 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in memory of Mary Margaret Ridge to Casa Teresa in Orange County (www.casateresa.com).