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Erin Dwyer posted a condolence
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Mrs. Ridley was my favorite teacher in high school. She was the first to tell me I had any talent for writing.
I was very glad that she was in the Red Hat Society with my mother, so that I had the opportunity to tell her how much I valued her teaching when I met her at a Red Hat event six years ago or so.
I'm very sorry to see she has passed away. My condolences to her family.
Erin
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Suzanne Wilcox Bernhardt posted a condolence
Saturday, August 19, 2017
I always enjoyed my classes with Mrs. Ridley. She was a teacher that inspired you to do better and work harder. Haverling Seniors always looked forward to taking journalism class with her and getting to work on the school newspaper. When the school told me that my name had been drawn to NOT take the class (there were too many kids signed up), I was devastated. I went straight to Mrs. Ridley in tears to tell her the news. She then worked with the administration to find a better way to choose who could take the class! I felt so honored and lucky to be chosen! And that is just one of my sweet memories of this amazing teacher. My heart goes out to her family for such a loss.
Suzie Wilcox, Haverling Class of 1991
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Mary Lee Burch Doering posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
My sister, Jennifer shared with me about Mrs. Ridley's passing. She was an inspiration and a well loved teacher of English at Haverling High School. I know she is responsible for teaching me how to write well. I have fond memories of her class in Junior year advanced English.
I am very saddened by her passing at a young age.
My condolences are with the family.
Sincerely,
Mary Lee Doering '70
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Pat & Keith Bartlett posted a condolence
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Dear Ben & family,
Keith & I extend our heartfelt condolences to you for the loss of your beloved Olivia. Please know that we have you all
in our thoughts & prayers at this sorrowful time.
May God Bless & comfort you in the difficult days ahead.
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Bonnie & Dick BArney posted a condolence
Friday, August 11, 2017
So sorry to hear of Olivia's passing, Ben. She was one of the finest teachers I had the pleasure to work with, and a good neighbor long ago.
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David Reynolds posted a condolence
Thursday, August 10, 2017
I am truly saddened to hear of Mrs. Ridley's passing. If ever there was a teacher who cared, motivated, challenged and saw through the BS it was her. I believe to this day I am an avid reader because of her influence.
To Mr. Ridley, my thoughts and prayer go out to you and your family.
Respectfully,
David Reynolds
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David Catherman posted a condolence
Sunday, August 6, 2017
So sorry to learn of Mrs. Ridley's passing. She, like Ben, was a respected Haverling "fixture". Good thoughts and prayers your way,
David Catherman HCS '68
New Orleans
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Nicole (Blackham) Cippoletti posted a condolence
Sunday, August 6, 2017
I'm so very sorry to hear about Mrs. Ridley's passing. She was a gift to everyone who knew her. When I think about how I got to where I am today, she is always the first person I name. Without her confidence in me, I don't know that I would have had the wherewithal to go to college. I certainly did not know how to begin. Because of her, I went on to become an English teacher, and now I work in higher ed administration. Her words of perseverance, optimism, and confidence will forever remain in my ears and heart.
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Patrick Swackhammer posted a condolence
Friday, August 4, 2017
I'm so sorry to hear about Mrs Ridley's passing. As a Haverling High School graduate (1992) I enjoyed having her as my English teacher for 2 years. English wasn't my favorite subject in grade school but hers was one of my favorite classes. I still vividly recall many of the books we read and the class discussions that followed. She opened our eyes to world happenings through our reading of Time magazine. Olivia will be greatly missed.
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Jackie Hallifax posted a condolence
Friday, August 4, 2017
Mrs. Ridley was one of the best teachers I ever had. I loved 11th grade English and 40 years later I still cherish the memory of being in her classroom.
My very sincere condolences to her family.
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Margo Zimdahl posted a condolence
Friday, August 4, 2017
Benny,
As I read the condolences written by former students it is very clear that Olivia was a much loved and admired teacher. I knew both of you through high school. Both of you were very admired people then, too.
Please know Benny, I'm so very sad to hear of Olivia passing.
Fondly,
Margo
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Nancy Schlick Larsen posted a condolence
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. What a wonderful teacher! I learned so much from her compassion and dedication. 1978
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Roxanne & Milt von Hagn posted a condolence
Thursday, August 3, 2017
We were so saddened and shocked to hear of Olivia's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Sending you all comforting hugs.
The von Hagn Family
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Joan (Hoffman) Ozog posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Praying for peace and comfort for the Ridley family and friends during this time of loss. A phenomenal teacher who touched so many.
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Jennifer posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Mrs. Ridley was one of the kindest people I know. She was a fantastic teacher and she genuinely cared about her students. I think of her often. Please accept my condolences for your loss.
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Kathleen Haskins Silfer posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Mrs.Ridley was a wonderful teacher. Her standards of excellence were inspiring. I taught many years myself and never forgot her love of the profession.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Haskins Silfer
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Tricia Barnes Garback posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
I never got the opportunity to tell Mrs. Ridley how much she opened the world for me. She made me appreciate school (finally) and inspired me to go into English in college.
She will be sorely missed.
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Janet Pilgrim posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
My prayers and condolences go out to the Ridley family. I have many fond memories of my time at Haverling that include both Mr. And Mrs. Ridley. May God be with you in this time of sadness and help you celebrate an amazing, compassionate, and inspiring teacher and woman. (Haverling Class of 91)
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Kevin Forshee posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Ridley Family,
Please accept my condolences. Olivia (Mrs. Ridley to me) was a great teacher and much more, in a time of my life when I didn’t value education and certainly thought I was much smarter than I was. She always found a way to connect with me, cutting through whatever nonsensical armor I had put around myself, making a connection that mattered to not only my education, but to me as a person. For that I will always be grateful.
Ben and Kirsten – I lost my mother in March, and I know that there are few words that can ease your pain. I miss my mother every day, and know that that it will be that way until we meet again. My thoughts are with you and your family through this most difficult of time.
With great sadness,
Kevin Forshee
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Sheryl Travis posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
So very sorry to hear of Olivias passing.It was a great pleasure to see both her and Ben at wrestling last winter,she was a wonderful person.
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Dr. Robert M. Smalt posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
My greatest sympathy to the Ridley family. Mrs. Ridley was an amazing instructor who helped thousands of students at Haverling Central improve their academic performance, but she really made us all better people! Additionally, she was a role model for all of us at the Bath schools and we are all thankful and greatly appreciative of her "Ethic of Caring" she sincerely expressed each and everyday! I send my prayers and love to Coach Ridley and all members of the family. Blessings, Prayers, and Love! Dr. Robert M. Smalt (Class of 1975, Haverling Central School)
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Albert and Suzanne Avery posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
So sorry for your loss. Praying for you Ben and your family.
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Deb Singer posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Mrs. Ridley is the reason I became an English teacher. I loved her style of teaching- so creative. I'm sad to hear the news of her passing.
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Lee & Brenda Haskins posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Mrs. Ridley was my favorite high school teacher who understood kids and made learning an exciting time and one that you learned so much without ever realizing it. She was a shining star among people and will surely be missed.
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Casie Zydanowicz posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Many blessings to the family. She was a fantastic teacher. She was known to many of my friends as the goddess of english. I took as many courses from her as I could. She definitely made you think and encouraged students to go out on a limb and be brave. Thank you Mrs. Ridley for all the knowledge and fun. One of my 3 fave teachers I never forgot.
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The Family of Lynn Ahrens posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
We are very saddened to hear of Olivia's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ridley Family.
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Dorothy Sheely Foster posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Mrs. Ridley has remained a cherished memory of my high school years.
I have told many folks how she opened my mind, broadened my understandings, and taught me how to think for myself. I felt encouraged in my own writing efforts and loved every class I had with her (and I took as many as I could). She is one of the teachers I remember well. I was so pleased to find out she was still teaching when my own children were old enough to take classes from her.
Her teachings have stayed with me my whole life. She was a gift to our world and I am grateful I was able to be a part of that.
Finally, I was the Ridley's next door neighbor for six years and babysat the kids several times for them. You were some of my favorite people and I'm so very sorry for your loss.
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Chris Langendorfer Deeter posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
I am so sorry to hear that Mrs. Ridley has passed. She was one of the best teachers at Haverling. I learned everything from vocabulary to how to construct a research paper. she had a great sense of humor and I will forever remember her.
Mr. Ridley, Ben and Kirsten you are in my thoughts.
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Mina Avery Barron posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
My deepest condolences to the Ridley family. I was blessed to have her both as a teacher and a colleague. What an amazing woman!! She will be greatly missed!
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Kim Kiff posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
I am so incredibly sorry. To this day I speak of her as one of my favorite teachers. She definitely had an impact on my life and she will be missed. My deepest sympathy.
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Suzanne (Mann) Babcock posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
I am just one of many students that enjoyed Mrs. Ridley. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
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Peggy and Larry White posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
but love leaves a Memory that no one can steal.
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Murray & Brenda Wright posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
We are so sorry for your loss. Olivia was an amazing person and educator. We admired her love amd commitment to family.
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Anne Callear Keddy posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Dear Ben, Ben, and Kirsten, I was so terribly saddened to learn of Olivia's passing. She was one of my very favorite teachers. I learned so much from her. I especially remember listening to popular music as poetry, choosing novels to read from a specific topic list and then comparing them (emphasis on choice here), and choosing an ethnic group to research and then debate topics as though we were members of that group. She also did fun, puzzling stories to solve the day before vacations that just made vacationitis more palatable. Olivia was one of my role models, as I found that I incorporated some of her teaching style into my own classroom. She definitely made the world a better place. Hugs to all of you! I'll have you in my thoughts and prayers as you work through your loss. Sincerely, Anne Keddy
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David sneddon posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
She will be mssed. She was one of the good ones. Very caring about her students. Deepest condolences.
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Don & Diana Long posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Deep sympathies to Ben and the entire family. Olivia was a wonderful teacher and friend and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
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Staci Sherer posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
You were a wonderful teacher. You and your husband both cared so much about all of your "kids" rest in peace knowing you gave so much and helped so many.
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