LOLA ETHEL RIDLEY

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LOLA ETHEL RIDLEY On Monday, February 5, 2001 at Fairview Home in Brandon, Lola Ridley passed away peacefully at the age of 88 years. Lola was born January 23, 1913 to Andrew and Ella McDowell, at the family home north of Manitou. One of seven children, at age ten she moved to Manitou with her mother and siblings after the sudden death of her father. Lola often spoke with pride of her mothers ability to raise seven children on her own (ages six months to 12 years of age). Grandma McDowell was a woman highly regarded by her family for her independence and fortitude - a trait she passed on to each of her children. Lola did well at school, receiving the Governor General Award for Excellence. She attended Normal School and as a young woman taught at New Haven, Riverdale, Altamont, and Laura Secord School, Winnipeg. On January 1, 1948 Lola married Maurice Ridley. They resided in Manitou and raised three children, Jack, Maureen and Merle Ann. After the death of Maurice in 1960, she returned to teaching. She retired as principal of the Manitou Elementary School in 1975. Lola had many good years of retirement in her family home in Manitou - gardening, walking, trips with her sisters and sister-in-law, playing bingo, delivering Meals on Wheels, and holding many special occasions with her family all gathering at Grandmas. With grace and acceptance, she willingly moved to an apartment in Morden when her home became too much for her. With the same dignity, she moved to Brandon in the fall of 1999 and eventually took up residence in Fairview Home. Left to mourn Lola is her brother Andrew and wife Dorothy of England; sister Grace of Winnipeg; son Jack (Ruth) and grandchildren, Amy, Luke, and Katie; daughter Maureen (Jim) and grandchildren, Cathy (Scott), Mike and great-granddaughter Madison; daughter Merle Ann (Rudi) and grandson Elias. Two sisters-in-law, Gladys Dale and Mabel Wilcox, also survive, as well as many nieces and nephews. Lola was truly a wonderful mother. The legacy Mom left us was her great strength of character and profound determination with which she faced life. She strongly believed that all children needed to learn how to handle failure as well as success. Mom handled death as she did all facets of life - head on and no fuss. Mom will never really leave us. We will feel her presence, like a breath of fresh air, whenever we remember moments shared and do again the things she loved to do with us. In so many ways, she remains with us, her wise spirit part of all we do and all we are. Well miss you, Mom. Special thanks to third floor Fairview staff. The loving, daily care that all the staff gave Mom was so valued and appreciated by her and the family. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 12 at St. Andrews United Church in Manitou, at 2:00 p.m. If friends so desire, donations may be made in her memory to Manitou United Church. Grahams Funeral Home of Manitou in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 08, 2001