MILDRED S. RIDGEWAY

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. -- Mildred S. Ridgeway, 81, of Hendersonville, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 16, 2008.

Born on Staten Island, N.Y., she lived there 62 years before moving to Hendersonville in 1988. Mildred was the daughter of Sigurd and Helga Sorensen, immigrants from Norway. Mildred worked in several Staten Island schools for the New York Board of Education until her retirement from Concord High School as a paraprofessional. Mildred worked many years as a civil service employee for the Army as secretary to a major general on Governors Island, where she received five separate awards for her outstanding performance. Before working on Governors Island, she worked at Halloran General Hospital on Staten Island and later when it was turned over to the Veterans Administration.

Mildred attended Hillcrest Lutheran Brethren Bible School in Fergus Falls, Minn., and graduated from Port Richmond High School and the Baker Business School in Stapleton, Staten Island. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church and later became a very active member in many capacities at Salem Evangelical Free Church on Staten Island. She became a member of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, after relocating to the area. She remained active and enjoyed her prayer group there until her passing.

She was a loving wife, mother and friend, always putting the needs of others before her own. She loved entertaining and was known for her hospitality with many great meals she prepared. Most of all, she enjoyed any time the family was together. Mildred had a great love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, which was shown by the life she lived.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Richard F. Ridgeway, in 2001; brother, Henry M. Sorensen of Boca Raton, Fla.; and a sister, Sue Vonderheide of San Bernardino, Calif.

Surviving are her two sons, Erik and his wife, Gail, and Stephen and his wife Patricia; two granddaughters, Holly and Erin; three grandsons, Cody, Connor and Thomas, all of Hendersonville; and stepson, Richard F. Ridgeway and his wife, Joyce, of Sumter.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church of Hendersonville. Burial will follow in Shepherd Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Friday at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors.

An online register book is available at www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors of Hendersonville is in charge of the arrangements.