RIDLEY Blanche Imogene (“Sue”) (WALKER)
December 24, 1922 - October 14, 2008
We take comfort knowing that our Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother will reunite with her husband of 42 years, Capt. Charles Robert RIDLEY, infant son Bobby Lee RIDLEY, parents Albert Edward and Thelma Irene (WRIGHT) WALKER, sister Marie ADAMS, and brothers-in-law Bill RIDLEY, Herman ADAMS and Bill WENTZEL.
She leaves behind her daughter Candy Lea CHICKITE (George QUOCKSISTER, Mel CHICKITE); grandson Ronnie CHICKITE, his wife Lennai (LUDWIKOWSKI) (Lennai’s daughter Taylor), great granddaughter Karsyn, and another great granddaughter under construction; grandson Eddie CHICKITE; son Capt. Kelly Brooks RIDLEY (Laura WILLIAMS); granddaughter Rachel RIDLEY; and grandsons Kyle RIDLEY and Cody RIDLEY. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Alix RIDLEY; and her family in California - Sister Amy WENTZEL; step-mother Agnes WALKER; brother Albert “Buzz” WALKER and sister Patricia PETERSON, many nieces, nephews and other extended family.
She was born in Ione, Amador County, California, and grew up on the farm, milking cows, chasing chickens, picking fruit and hops, driving trucks, and riding horses. Mom wanted more out of life, so she moved to San Francisco at the age of 24. She loved the city, and held various jobs. As a printer running a Multilith offset printing press she made cards and stationary and envelopes for big department and clothing stores, and she worked at a company printing blueprints too. She enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on Treasure Island, and was a member of the rifle team. As did many of the women of her time, Mom helped the war effort by working in the shipyards, building war ships. It was there that she got the nickname “Susie Q” which was shortened to Sue and it stuck!
During the Christmas of 1955 Mom met Dad while on a trip to Canada with Dad’s cousin Joan, and the rest, as they say, is history! On September 23, 1956 they were married in Sacramento, Dad moved to San Francisco and took a job with the Carrier Corporation, a refrigeration company. After the death of their fist son in California, Mom and Dad came to BC, had Candy & Kelly and lived in Richmond, until 1967 when they moved to Heriot Bay on Quadra Island. They lived happily there for 32 years, and when Dad died in 1999 Mom moved to Campbell River.
Our thanks to Dr.’s Marsh and Kennedy, the nursing staff at the Campbell River Hospital (2 North and 2 South), to those who cared for Mom during her last hours in ICU, but in particular to Sandy Murphy, Aboriginal Liaison Nurse to whom we are eternally grateful.
Interment at the Quadra Island Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2008, with a Celebration of Life to follow in the Dining Room at Mountain View, 280 South Dogwood Street, Campbell River at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Campbell River Hospital Foundation are greatly appreciated.
Sutton’s Campbell River Funeral Home
“In Care of Arrangements”
250-287-4812