Eleanor S. Ridley

April 13, 1931 - March 12, 2016

Eleanor Mabel Strout Ridley, 84, of Auburn, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2016 at D’Youville Pavilion in Lewiston, with her loved ones by her side. She was born in Mechanic Falls, Maine on April 13, 1931, the daughter of John O. Strout and Ethel Cox Strout. She enjoyed flower gardening, horses, reading Louis L’Amour books, was an avid John Wayne fane, and loved western movies. She had a strong connection to music and family. She always loved supporting her children in their various interests, sports, extra-curricular activities, and later on, their careers. She also loved to travel and take road trips with family and friends. She was primarily a homemaker, caring for her six children, but also worked outside the home. She worked in a shoe shop, she was a secretary to a manager in the shoe manufacturing industry. She also worked as a CNA for eleven years. She is survived by her children, Donna Ridley of Saco, Tom Ridley of Portland, Colin Ridley of Auburn, Debra Toth of Mechanic Falls, C. Eric Ridley of Baldwin, and Diane Case of Pittston, and their respective families. Seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren survive her as well. She was predeceased by her mother, father, sister Catherine, and brothers Lionel and Clarence, as well as her husband of 46 years, Chester Ridley. She will be remembered and celebrated as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and a wonderful friend. We will miss her always and keep her forever in our hearts. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 4, 2016, Gracelawn Memorial Part, 980 Turner Street, Auburn, Maine. In the event of inclement weather or unfavorable ground conditions, the service will be held in the Gracelawn Chapel. Immediately following the service there will be a reception in celebration of Eleanor’s life at the VFW Hall, 588 Minot Avenue, Auburn. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanor’s memory may be sent to the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) P.O. Box 10, South Windham, ME 04082; by telephone at (207) 892-3040; or via their website at www.msspa.org.