Jessie Ridgeway

On May 15, 2013, Jessie Virginia Ridgeway joined her beloved husband, Elmer Ridgeway, in heaven. She was born in 1917 to Lyman Francis Boling and Helen Groh Boling in Terre Haute, Indiana, and was one of ten brothers and sisters. After graduating from high school in Terre Haute, she attended Indiana State Teachers College before entering the Washington University School of Nursing in St. Louis. Virginia answered the call of service to her country and entered the Navy Nurse Corps in March 1942. She was assigned to Base Hospital #2 on the island of Efate, New Hebrides, as one of the first group of Navy nurses stationed close to a combat zone. On Efate Virginia met the love of her life, Elmer Ridgeway, Jr., a Navy doctor from Oklahoma City. They married in December 1943 and continued their love affair for 63 years until "Ridge" passed away in 2006. Virginia and Ridge had two daughters, Linda and Ginger, both of Oklahoma City. Virginia was an exemplary wife and mother, supporting her friends and family with love and kindness. She was an early participant in the Oklahoma City Reach for Recovery organization that counseled women about breast cancer. She enjoyed church activities including Disciples Bible study, cooking for Meals on Wheels, and tutoring. She enjoyed golf and traveling with Ridge, and especially loved the many happy memories of friends and family at Ruttger's Lodge in Minnesota. In recent years Virginia contributed her wartime story to a book on women's war experiences. Virginia was an inspiration to her daughters and grandchildren for her adventurous and indomitable spirit. She will be greatly missed. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Lyman and Helen, nine brothers and sisters, and her husband, Ridge. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Felton, Ginger McCombs and husband Don McCombs, six grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Mercy Hospital and Mercy Hospice for their loving care of Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Mercy Hospice or a charity of your choice. A Memorial Service will be held at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church; 2717 W Hefner Road OKC, OK 73120 at 1 PM on Friday, May 17.