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THOMAS RIDLEY Obituary
March 15, 1952 April 14, 2024
There were three of us and now there are two...
Tom was a fighter. Tom was a warrior. And so, he could not go 'easily into the night'. He fought to his last breath.
Tom was ruggedly independent. Tom had a smart, wry sense of humor. Tom did things his own way.
When we were told that cancer had spread, even on chemo there was nothing more to be done. In that moment we grasped his hands giving him our strength. We told Tom this is the race that he could not win.
We the sisters are feeling deep grief and loss.
His loss will also not slip away easily or over time.
So, as Tom's sisters we have pledged to live our lives fully with as much joy as possible.
In life, Tom's greatest release and joy came from the solitude of walking. His hikes were filled with mountains, forests, untried paths, diligent dogs and then welcomed by restful cats.
Tom walk-on by ...
keep walking toward the hope on the horizon,
Pause by a stream, filtered sun light, dogs panting.
Come to rest now - in that soft shaded place,
You can close your eyes - knowing the embrace
of the universe.
Now, without Tom - we two sisters stand alone -
but very much together.
Liddy and Pitter Ridley
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Memories and Condolences
for THOMAS RIDLEY
4 Entries
Vincent Jura
May 20, 2024
I played waterpolo and swam at Fresno State with Tom. We may have been roomates as well but there were many of them and it was 50 some odd years ago so I´m not sure of that. Myself and other team members kept in loose contact over the years with an occasional golf game and I recently saw Tom at an alumni waterpolo game. Several years back when Tom was living in Sacramento he was very helpful to me and accommodating me by putting me up at his Sacramento residence when I was there on a business trip. He actually was not even in Sacramento at that time and he made sure that I had a place to flop for a couple of weeks while I was there. That´s the kind of guy he was. He will be missed.
liddy
May 14, 2024
love you Tom you were such a warrior. i wanted you to win but it was not to be. missing you. Pitter and i will remember and honor our big brother. i imagine you hiking the mountains with Nuk. wishing you joy in your heart always
Patricia Tuck
May 14, 2024
I was Tom's significant other for 16 years before he passed away. He was on Hospice at my home and I was with him when he went to Heaven. Tom was a lover of nature, books, and had quiet strength that few people have. He was a Christian, so I know we will meet again. Until then Patricia Tuck
Kate Woitalla-Lloyd
May 4, 2024
Dear Pitter and Liddy,
Never have I read a more beautiful obituary than the one here. I never met your brother, but I feel I know him from the incredible announcement placed here. May God rest your brother's soul, and may He keep you comforted in His everlasting love as you both walk this path of grief. What an incredible man your brother had to have been. I am so very sorry for your loss. - PEACE, Kate
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