Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Add a Memory
Make a Donation
Emily Ridgway Obituary
Emily Parsons Ridgway, 102, died Oct. 1. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
A longtime resident of Millburn Township, she maintained a dual resident in Fishers Island, N.Y.
She served as president of the Short Hills Garden Club and vice-president of the Garden Club of America. She was a trustee of Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Conn.; a regent of Kenmore and a member of The Auxiliary of Overlook Hospital in Summit.
She served as an Overlook Foundation trustee from 1988 to 1994. In 2002, she received the hospital's Lifetime Achievement Award for community service. She was a lifetime member of 22 philanthropic organizations.
Mrs. Ridgway is survived by two sons, William C. III and Charles P.; two daughters, Emily R. Crisp, and Sara R. McLean; a stepsister, Harriet Wells Bailey; 11 grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Overlook Foundation, Box 220, Summit, NJ, 07902, or The Island Health |Project, Box 344, Fishers Island,, NY, 06390.
Memories and Condolences
for Emily Ridgway
5 Entries
Mark ferguson
September 22, 2025
I visited her house on fishers island. An inscription read..."heaven is a garden" the house was built by my grandparents darothy and walton ferguson my name is Mark ferguson...she let me take any book i wanted from my grandparents extentise library. I cut our visit short because i wanted her to get to her lunch...she was very friendly and gracious. I cherish the memory of my visit...
Laurie Stuart Buss
December 3, 2013
My father was lucky to have met Emily and her sister on a trip to the Orient in the 30s on the Lurline, a Merchant Marine ship. That encounter led to a lifetime's connection, and included my mother and me, too.
She was strong and feisty, and I felt privileged to know her. I remember her in her mid-90s, wearing spiky heels, making her way from the subway to MOMA. What energy--both intellectual and physical.
She and I shared a love of plants. I hope the white digitalis seed I sent her from my garden still blooms on Fisher's Island.
Steven Robertson
October 29, 2013
Mrs Ridgway ,
Thank you for the many years on Fishers island working for you .... you were always kind , fair and a pleasure to be around . You told it as it was and did things your way .... The Matriarch of the family .... respected by all . I have wonderful memories of Summers with you . Thank you Mrs Ridgway .... sleep in peace .
Alexander Ridgway
October 8, 2013
I had the great pleasure and privelage of knowing Emily as my Grandmother. Some of the very best times of my childhood were the summers that I spent with her on Fishers Island. A thorough accounting has been given of her philanthropic undertakings, but it should also be said that Grandma was also very generous with her time and in sharing her experiences. She took all of her grandchildren on trips throughout the world and shared her love of travel, art and the theater at every opportunity. Her sitting rooms in Short Hills and on Fishers Island were the setting for many long and always interesting converstaions; usually with Grandma glaring disapprovingly from behind her New York Times.
Grandma lived a fearless life. Though I never had the pleasure of seeing her perform on stage, I was inspired by her eager willingness to pursue her dreams regardless of age. Grandma wasn't particularly impressed by closed doors, either literal or figurative. She taught me that the best thing to do when you encounter a closed door in life is to reach down and try to open it.
The world is a colder, less interesting place without her and I will miss her deeply.
How you can show support
Carly Hughes
October 6, 2013
Knowing Emily as G.G. She was my great grandmother. We would write letters back and forth during her later years, and though she was opinionated, it meant there was always something to talk about. She was absolutely fascinating, and somone who you couldn't help but respect and look up too. Living 103 years is quite a lot, and so I would consider her quite wise being that she lived though wars, depressions, and hitler. Any time we would visit G.G. we would always have tea around 2:30 in the afternoon. She'd have cookies, crackers and juices prepared and we would sit on her porch and look out over the ocean and her beautiful gardens. (Her gardens really where spectacular they remined me of Alice in wonderland.) She was an influential women, even into her late nineties, she was the one who convinced me to finally stop taking baths because they're "nasty, all of the water you are sitting in is your own dirt, how are you supposed to get clean if there is nothing clean?" I now take showers, because it has some truth to it. I love G.G. and she will always be in my heart.
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
Make a Donation
in Emily Ridgway's name
How to support Emily's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Emily Ridgway's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more