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Meri Ridge Obituary
Norfolk - Meri Dell ("M.D."/"Dell") Ridge, 78, died June 5, 2017, at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, VA, from complications of metastatic liver cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones. Born in 1938 in New York City, she was the eldest child of Del and Meri Bell Sharbutt, a show biz couple, and grew up bouncing between New York and L.A. She graduated cum laude from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY. She married James J. Ridge of Boston, MA (now USN Ret. of La Jolla, CA), and spent 25 years in California, Japan, Rhode Island, and Virginia as a Navy wife and mother to three children. She fell in love with Virginia, which became the only place she considered home.
M.D. was a liturgical composer, musician, writer, and editor. For 45 years she wrote music for Catholic churches and was a pastoral musician for parishes around the country, including many in Hampton Roads. She was a devoted member of the Gathering of Friends, an Intentional Eucharistic Community in Hampton Roads. She published numerous albums and collections of music, including A Light in Darkness and By Cross and Water Signed. She wrote for Music News, Pastoral Music magazine and Today's Liturgy, and wrote, edited, and contributed to many books and articles. She wrote and recorded arts reviews and features for the Virginian-Pilot, WHRO, Hampton Roads Magazine, and more. With all this work, M.D. still found time to be a mother, a grandmother ("Oma"), and a loving and devoted friend.
M.D. is survived by her son James Ridge and his wife Diane of Cleveland, OH; her daughter Eileen Ridge and her partner Scott Ward of Norfolk, VA; her son Matthew Ridge of Santa Barbara, CA; her granddaughters Rachel Ward of Norfolk and Molly and Cara Ridge of Cleveland; her grandsons Shane Ridge and Roman Cleak of Santa Barbara; and her niece Julie Sharbutt of New York City. She was predeceased by her brothers, Jay and James William ("Bill") Sharbutt, both of New York City.
A memorial service will be held at the Chandler Recital Hall at Old Dominion University's Diehn Center for the Performing Arts in Norfolk, VA, on Tuesday, June 13, 7 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Oasis Social Ministry (www.oasissocialministry.org), 800-A Williamsburg Ave., Portsmouth, VA 23704.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Meri Ridge
Sponsored by the family.
Dennis Deitz
June 2, 2025
I carry you on my heart.
Leonard Sentia
June 9, 2024
In loving memory to M.D Ridge. I am from Stella Maris Catholic Church in Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia. Her music' bread of scrafice' has been chosen in our church for communion hymn on 16th June 2024, looking for the audio preview but could not find any.
Dennis Deitz
June 5, 2024
Dell, you are missed every day.
Nellwyn
June 3, 2024
My mentor and friend. How much I miss you! I could always call you and you would be there, guitar in hand, making music and sharing the love of God.
Paul Inwood
June 2, 2024
Where have 7 years gone? Dell, your face and voice still ring on through the memory over the years. Much missed, now and always.
Mary Sweetman
June 28, 2023
We met in VA Beach, and my husband loved her compositions.
One of hers was used at my husband´s funeral January 2021
Paul Inwood
June 5, 2023
Fond remembrances of Dell on this 6th anniversary of her passing to eternal life. Here's one of many photos (but never enough!).
Dennis Deitz
June 5, 2023
Six years feels like a very long time. You stay alive in my heart and mind.
William Linnehan
June 2, 2022
Miss your kindness and understanding Meri Dell
Paul Inwood
June 2, 2022
Almost five years now, and the memory of a unique and wonderful friend lives on! We cherish the person that you were and the legacy of music that you left behind.
William Linnehan
December 29, 2021
We all miss Meri Dell. Her supreme intelligence, her laugh, her energy, and her love.
Dennis Deitz
December 28, 2021
I think of you daily. You will always be my best friend.
Jack Louden
October 14, 2021
You remain in my thoughts Del. I always enjoyed so many of your works, including Where My Father Lives, In the Day of the Lord, and Christ's Peace. You were always willing to help with those incredible lyrics and I enjoyed composing Laudi Sion with you back in the day. Your songs remain forever in my heart!
Mary Sweetman
October 13, 2021
My husband loved her compositions, and when he was singing in our parish choir he requested that the choir sing " Where my Father lives"
They sang it at his funeral this past January, and will again on November 6 th during a Memorial Mass for all the parishioners we lost this past year.
Paul Inwood
June 3, 2019
Missing you so much, Dell!
Dennis Deitz
June 2, 2019
Forever in my mind and heart.
June 7, 2018
How often in my music ministry have I missed this woman so much! I found an email from her from 2014. So typical of her humor!
June 6, 2018
Can it be a year? Missing you so much, Dell!
Dennis
June 5, 2018
Not a day has gone by that you have not been in my mind and heart.
William Linnehan
September 23, 2017
MeriDell was a wonderful lady and inspirational Catholic. I miss her. She helped me grow up when I visited my Uncle Jim and her and the kids at Whiloughby Spit in 1965 at the age of 14, after driving south as a passenger in Uncle Brendan's new 1965 mustang. It was here I was inspired to join the Navy though eventually choosing the Marine Corps. God bless all.
Artsong Update
June 22, 2017
John Campbell and Steve Brockman grieve the loss of M.D., both as a friend and colleague. We published many of her "From the Other Side of the Footlights" reviews from WHRO 90.3 in our email Newsletter and on our website www.artsongupdate.org as well. If you paste this link http://www.artsongupdate.org/Reviews/Review%20Index.htm
into your browser you can find her reviews under Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Opera, Virginia Arts Festival, Norfolk Chamber Consort and Virginia Wesleyan.
Patricia McMican
June 13, 2017
Dell was someone I deeply admired. The last time we spoke was when she came to John Skiptunas's Funeral Mass. She made an effort to support the grieving of friends and an entire Parish even though she was feeling every tired and drained.She looked very beautiful that night. Her beauty has spread throughout the world in her songs. Thank you, Dell.
Kim Englisch
June 12, 2017
Dell was the first person who pushed me to let out my singing voice when I was just 11 years old and encouraged me to join her choir at Immaculate Conception Chapel in Norfolk. I did and I loved it. She even gave me a solo on the first verse and chorus of "Oh Holy Night" at Midnight Mass when I was 16 and I've never stopped singing since. She was a wonderful lady who inspired the music lover in this woman and is still a very fond memory all these years later. My condolensces to her family. She was a very special person.
Montague Gammon III
June 12, 2017
Hampton Roads has lost an extraordinarily and delightfully intelligent, articulate, witty (and sometimes wonderfully, succinctly sardonic and sarcastic) and knowledgeable critic and commentator on the performing arts, and I have lost a dear and valued friend.
Beth Deaton
June 11, 2017
I have so many memories of your Mom at St. Matthew's. She was a phenomenal composer. She was good friends with my Dad, Joe Hock, and sang at his second wedding and read at his funeral. He even recorded with her once. I hope God guides you during this difficult time and you find some peace with your faith, family and friends.
M. R. (Robin) Redd
June 10, 2017
Meri Dell's mother and my mother were best friends going way back to the 20s and 30s of the 20th century. They enjoyed the same careers, they met and married their husbands at the same time and each got pregnant and delivered their babies within months of each other. Meri Dell arrived first on Christmas Eve and I followed shortly thereafter just before the first day of spring.
And that is the provenance of what for me proved to be the longest and best friendship of my entire life. What luck! Or was it divine plan and favor that gifted me with so sterling, bright and funny a soul/lady that stayed a loving presence for me for seventy eight years. What a blessing. What a loss.
And now the story continues with James, Eileen, Mathew, Rachel, et al. You hold the Meri Dell genes, the Meri Dell spirit. May they buoy you and bring
you comfort and strength now. and in many future days and years.
M. R. Redd (Robin)
Robin
June 10, 2017
Light to light.
Joan Hughes
June 10, 2017
I want to extend my sympathy to all of Meri Dell's family. She and I were 2nd cousins, so I am related to you as well. My father, J. Ray Matlock and Meri Dell's father, Dell Sharbutt, were 1st cousins and always close. My grandfather, J. Eugene Matlock and Dell's mother, Maude Matlock Sharbutt were siblings. Dell's 1st radio job was in Oklahoma City and he lived with my parents during that time. I visited her when you lived in Falls Church and I in Annandale, VA. Though I have lived in Virginia Beach since 1999 she and I never got together but we kept in touch over the years. I also knew your uncles, Jay and Bill, as well as your grandparents and great grands of course. I regret that Dell and I did not stay in closer contact. I am 80 now and lucky to not have too many such regrets. Love to you, my family.
Joan Matlock Hughes
[email protected]
Jeanne Trott
June 9, 2017
We remember Dell with great fondness from St. James in Falls Church. We did some good things together. Rest in peace, Dell.
Stanley T. Tuchalski
June 9, 2017
I was blessed to be gifted with the composition of Bread of Sacrifice, which Dell composed for the Eucharistic Liturgy to celebrate my ordination to Official Ministry in the Catholic Church in 1990. She will always be a part of the song and laughter of heartfelt memories flowing through my mind.
Prayers of support to the family she loved and cherished so dearly!
Landon
June 9, 2017
Dell's life and the way she lived it continues to inspire me. The last thing she said to me was that when she needs help, she stands on her rooftop and screams for help. a good lesson I will keep with me. She often expressed to me the value in friendship. The last thing I said to her was that I loved her and hoped she would heal quickly. I don't usually pray but I prayed for Dell that night. I had no idea it would be the last time I'd see her. Rest peacefully, Dell. We are going to miss you so much! Thank you for sharing your stories and so many laughs with me. I'll cherish knowing you and I'll never forget you.
Paul Inwood
June 9, 2017
An amazing lady, colleague and friend for over 30 years. I will miss her so much. I wanted to fly over for the service but alas cannot rearrange things in time. My sincere condolences to the Ridge family.
Nellwyn Beamon
June 9, 2017
Dell was an advocate to me as a musician during a particularly difficult period in my life. She was always ready to be part of any musical adventure I put together: have guitar, will travel. I will miss her so very much!
Jack Louden
June 9, 2017
You were certainly one of a kind, with so many talents. I'm grateful for the many times I needed to talk with you about things going on in my life. I'm grateful for the song projects we did together. Thanks for the time you opened your home to me when I moved to Norfolk. Great memories. My son Tim also remembers your kindness.You were Christ in action. You loved unconditionally. I will dearly miss you. I know you are singing and living Christ's peace. Where my Father lives there is room for all. I will see you in paradise Del!
June 8, 2017
She had a great sense of humor. I will cherish her memory of dinners , and celebrations through out the years. GOD has a great angel in his flock. Condolence to the Ridge Family. wish we could be there love you all
KELLY AND CHUCK JENNINGS
Elizabeth Glynn
June 8, 2017
I knew Dell in Portsmouth at Church of the Resurrection and,later,at the Gathering of Friends. I was sorry to learn of her illness and subsequent death. My sympathies to her family and close friends. I knew Dell as a talented liturgist, musician and staff member during my time at Resurrection. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Betti
Mike Watts
June 8, 2017
My deepest condolences to the Ridge Family on MD's passing. She was a great friend at LeMoyne and I am certain she is composing joyful music in her heavenly home.
Carol Thomas Downing
June 8, 2017
M. D, I first heard your voice via incisive & beautifully crafted concert reviews for Artsong Update. Prayers to your family. The music lovers of Hampton Roads will miss you.
Billy Gargaro
June 8, 2017
A bright light that will surely be missed. Heaven just got a little more beautiful. Rest in Peace.
Laura Keesey
June 8, 2017
May Dell compose for the choirs of angels.
David Haas
June 8, 2017
MD, you were always a wonderful piece of God's creation ... I will miss your wit and uncanny style of humor, and your generous presence.
Tony Barr
June 8, 2017
Del first touched my mind and my heart in the early 1980s when I had traveled from the UK to St Louis for my first NPM Convention. We each shared a natural ability for word, wit and wisdom. We were delightful sparring partners at the breakfast table, be it over the morning's crossword or our mutual pleasure in playing word games with one another. I was later to enjoy her keen perceptive critiquing of the harmony between text and music in the wonderful encounters in both public and private at the annual Composers Forum. She was a lady of both poise and dignity, and her generosity in sharing her spiritual journey made her a very dear friend to me.
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