Vera Elizabeth Ridley, 95, passed away on July 16, 2018, in Lakeland, Florida. She was born to parents Helen Elizabeth Patrick and Byron Dorn on May 4, 1923, in Palmyra , New York. She shared a birthday with her son, Steve, May 4, 1949 and loved celebrating together. Vera graduated from Newark High School in 1940.
She married Gerald Burgess Ridley in 1944 and was married for 58 years. Vera was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her sister Doris “June”(George) Smith of Newark; son Steve (Sally) Ridley, grandson Scott (Eleanor) Ridley, great-grandson Matthew Ridley of Kentucky; nieces, Cheryl (Chuck) Brownell, Melodie Beman, great-niece Anna Beman, nephew Kent Ridley, great-nephew Tim Shove and brother-in-law Erling”Corky” (Irene) Ridley.
Vera lived in Newark, New York, Fremont, California and retired to Lakeland , Florida in 1988. She worked as a telephone operator, secretary at Roosevelt School, church secretary in Fremont and a Sarah Coventry Distributor. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Newark and Lake Gibson Methodist Church in Lakeland. She belonged to many organizations and treasured her work with the Eastern Star.
A Memorial Service was held in Lakeland, Florida. A graveside service will be held on Monday , June 10, 2019 at 11 am at East Newark Cemetery (Vienna Road).
In lieu of flowers, donations in Vera's memory may be made to First United Methodist Church, 301 S Main St, Newark, NY 14513.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Vera Elizabeth (Dorn) Ridley, please visit our floral store.