Frances S. Riddle

A gentle soul whose kindness, loyalty, great hugs, and radiant smile touched everyone she met.

Frances S. Riddle, 90, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025, surrounded by her three children.

Frances, or Mimi as she was known to so many, was born on July 15, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio, to Dorothy and Arthur R. Smith. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in English with a certification in education from Denison University, she dedicated more than twenty years to teaching elementary students and inspiring generations with her kindness, patience, and understanding. She often ran into former students in town who would immediately recognize “Mrs. Riddle” and stop to say hello. She was always so proud of their many accomplishments.

Beyond teaching, Mimi was a proud member of Delta Gamma and most recently served the Toledo Delta Gamma Alumnae Association as treasurer. She was also a member of the Junior League, a longtime docent at the Toledo Museum of Art, and a season ticket holder at the Toledo Symphony.

The center of Mimi’s world was her family. She met William R. Riddle, and they married in 1958. They were happily married for 37 years before his passing on December 2, 1995. After Bill’s death, Mimi devoted herself to being a loving and devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. She never missed milestones like Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, birthdays, graduations, musicals, recitals, sporting events, weddings, and many fun, sunny days at her cottage at Devil’s Lake.

Mimi is survived by her three children, Dorothy (Christopher) Hauser, William (Ann) Riddle Jr., and Laura (Mark) Elliott; her grandchildren, Julia Hauser (Andrew Kolb), Olivia (Malcolm) Roberts, Marion Hauser, Madeline (Michael) Hoendorf, Elizabeth (Neil) Craft, Kathryn Riddle, Caroline Elliott, and Jack Elliott; and her great-grandchildren, Ruth Roberts, Abigail and Kelly Hoendorf, and William and Theodore Craft. She is also survived by her brother, Arthur R Smith Di Blassio (Julia). Her words of wisdom, love of reading, and good humor will live on in all of us.

In addition to her husband, William R. Riddle, she was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Arthur R. Smith.

A Mass in celebration of Mimi’s life will be held on November 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2950 Ilger Avenue, Toledo, Ohio. Those wishing to express sympathy are asked to consider St. Pius X Catholic Church, the Toledo Symphony, or the Toledo Delta Gamma Alumnae Association.

Mimi’s life was a testament to strong faith, kindness at every turn, grace, and fierce loyalty and love for her family and friends. Her memory and her example will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.