Margaret Adelaide Ridgeway

Margaret Adelaide (Carlock) Ridgeway September 10, 1922 - May 9, 2015. Maggie was born Sep 10 1922 in Tacoma to Bruce and Helen (Perryman) Carlock. She felt blessed to have such loving parents and her adored older brother Clay. She grew up during the great depression, learning how to economize and recycle. At Stadium High, she wrote a humor column for the school paper and was voted wittiest girl in her class. The day after getting a bad sunburn on Mt Rainier in July 1941, she met army recruiting Sgt. Gordon Ridgeway, who stood out among her suitors by buying her a book instead of candy. They married in 1942, before Gordon went overseas. After Gordon went back into the army during the Korean war, they lived in California, Bavaria, Texas, Taiwan, Illinois and Okinawa, before retiring to Queen Anne Hill, Seattle. There were long periods when Gordon was on duty away from home, and Maggie had to raise her 4 children alone. During the travels, Maggie picked up artwork and books, and her house looked like a museum. She also made friends, regardless of nationality, race or religion, and kept up correspondence with them for many years. She had great curiosity, with interests in classical music and opera, theater, art, literature, poetry, philosophy, religion, and history. Whenever she could enroll in college classes, she would, attending 4 different schools before finally getting her degree from Washington University in St Louis, at the age of 46. In following years, her book reviews and prolific correspondence sparkled with her wit, insight and compassion. She was active in Women's University Club, PEO and church. As a mother and hostess, she promoted witty, spirited and informed dialogue. When people married into the family, they would rave about her loving kindness and caring, which was also demonstrated in her charity work with orphans and disabled children. Although often in pain, she demonstrated the gracious concern for others that is the mark of a true lady. Her standards were high, and neither children nor grandchildren wanted to receive her disapproval. Maggie was preceded in death by her husband Gordon , son Tom and grandson Greg. Her faith was rock solid, and she looked forward to seeing her family in the next life. She is survived by her brother Clay Carlock of Seattle, children Gordon Ridgeway Jr (Cookie) of Bothell, Jon Ridgeway (Christie) of Bellevue, and Mary Walls of Dickinson, TX., nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was cherished, and the gaping hole left by her departure from this life obligates the survivors to remember her love and kindness, and pay it forward. Her life ended peacefully in her sleep the morning of May 9, 2015 in Seattle; her family is appreciative of the caring staff of Queen Anne Manor. A memorial celebration of her life will be held at Queen Anne Christian Church, Seattle, at 11 AM on May 30, 2015. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Operation Nightwatch, Queen Anne Christian Church, or the charity of your choice. Internment will be a private family ceremony.