Patricia Ann Ridgway

1943 - 2010

April 2, 1943 - December 28, 2010

Patricia "Pat" Ridgway passed away peacefully on the morning of
December 28, 2010 at her West Salem, OR home.
Born in San Pedro, CA, Pat was the second child and the only daughter of Robert and Jeanne McNerney. In San Pedro, she met her husband, Bill, with whom she spent 48 wonderful years. San Pedro, the birthplace of her three children, is also where she met her lifelong best friend, Theresa Padilla.
In 1975, Pat and Bill moved their family to Medford, OR where they raised their three children, Tracy, Bill and Holly. After 12 years in Medford, they moved to Lake Oswego, then finally settled in Salem in1991.
After raising her children, Pat fulfilled a life-long goal of completing her college degree. She graduated from Western Oregon University in 1994 with a BA in English Literature.
Pat had a passion for learning and traveling with friends and family. One of her favorite trips was an archeological dig in the Arizona desert. Pat loved traveling with Bill. Favorite trips included traveling to Europe on the Concord and enjoying the theater in New York. Her heart especially belonged to Napili Bay, Maui, where she and Bill had a second home and honeymooned part of each year.
Pat supported a number of charitable organizations, including Smile Train, The Union Gospel Mission, American Diabetes Association, Mercy Corps, St. Jude Children's Hospital, The Humane Society and Marion Polk Food Share.
Pat's greatest joy was her family. Family gatherings and celebrations filled her soul with light and laughter. Pat's sense of family extended well beyond her immediate kin; she cherished her closest friends who were always part of her family get-togethers. Pat will be honored and revered in years to come through the continuation of the many traditions she began with her family.
Pat is survived by her husband, Bill; her children, Tracy (Rob), Bill, Jr. (Susan) and Holly (Bryce); her eight grandchildren; and her many friends who knew and loved her. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 1 pm at the Woodland Chapel, 582 High Street SE, Salem, OR 97301.