KATHLEEN BLANCHE RIDD

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KATHLEEN (KITTY) BLANCHE RIDD (nee GREEN) 1923 - 2015 On St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2015 Mum passed away at the Charleswood Personal Care Centre. Kitty is survived by six children: sons David (Dorothy), Kim (Deidre), Russell (Carol), and Todd (Shane); daughters, Roxanne Howard (Brian), and Kristina Ridd; 11 grandchildren: Scott (Rhonda) and Kimberly (Dennis), Tanya (Roger) and Jason (Anna), Sean and Lauren, Clay and Cole, Teurauna, Torrie and Truestin: three great-grandchildren Austin, Logan and Erin; nephew John Smith (Rita), and niece Cheryle Sosnowski (Mike). Numerous cousins, nephews and nieces remain in England. Husband William (Bill); parents Fred and Blanche; brothers Fred and Stan; and sister Vera (Max) predeceased her. Kitty was born in Colchester, Essex, England on January 6, 1923. She excelled in sports, particularly field hockey and track and field. During the Second World War she served in the Colchester Ambulance and Fire Corps. In 1941 she met and in 1943 married the love of her life, her dashing Canadian soldier Bill (Willy) Ridd. After the war she came to Canada as a British War Bride and landed at Pier 21 in Halifax on May 24, 1946 with her first son David. Over the years home was in Brooklands, Elmwood, Woodlands, Stonewall and eventually back to Winnipeg. Kitty was a faithful and loyal employee of Simpson Sears and helped in opening their three stores: Polo Park (1959), Garden City (1970) and Kildonan Place (1980). There she made numerous and treasured friendships. Retirement was in 1986. Kitty was fiercely proud to be British. It was a highlight to return to England in 1999 for a visit with family after many decades of absence. It was her honour to meet Queen Elizabeth in person during the Royal visit to Winnipeg in 2002. Following that encounter, she received the Queen's HAPPY and GLORIOUS Anniversary Book in which her story was included. She was also honoured along with other British War Brides at Government House by the Lieutenant Governor John Harvard to celebrate the Year of the War Bride. Mum worked very hard for her family and was very proud of each of them. She will be missed and forever in our hearts and memories. The family would like to thank the staff of Charleswood Person Care Centre for the wonderful care given her during her residence there. Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, consideration may be given to donations in her memory to the charity of your choice and a hug given to someone you love. "Farewell Mum, we know you have gone to join your soldier boy sweetheart."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 21, 2015