Mary Ellen Ridgeway's Obituary
Mary was born on May 10, 1925, in a farm community near Tyler, Texas to Mary J. Terrell and William F. Conn. She graduated from Polytechnic High School in Ft. Worth, Texas and entered the Robert B. Green School of Nursing in San Antonio where she met, and later married, Robert A. Ridgeway, a pilot in the U.S. Air Corps on February 8, 1944. Following the birth of their son, Robert Allen Ridgeway Jr., she returned to nursing school, receiving her diploma in 1947. She was employed at several Houston hospitals before entering the Veteran’s Administration Nursing Service in 1974. During her tenure, Mary was stationed at San Antonio, TX., Augusta, GA., Loma Linda, CA., Temple, TX., Jackson, MS., Albuquerque, NM., and Marlin, TX., holding positions such as Operating Room Supervisor, Assistant Chief Nurse, Quality Management Coordinator, and Associate Chief for Education. She held a Baccalaureate in Nursing and a Master’s in Allied Health Education and Administration, as well as certifications in Nursing Administration, Gerontology, and Quality Management. She held memberships in several professional organizations throughout her career, continuing her membership in Sigma Theta Tau until her death. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron and many of the Chairs, and the Society of Mayflower Descendants.
Mary was preceded in death by her son, Robert Allen Ridgeway, Jr. She is survived by her granddaughter, Kirsten Deann Wheeless and her husband, Preston; grandson, Trey (Robert Allen III), and his wife, Misty; four great-grandchildren: Owen and Jackson Wheeless, and Rolan and Roya Ridgeway; her niece Nancy Huey, and her son, Aaron.
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