The Queen of Our Hearts
Catherine Grace Ridd was born on July 2, 1928, adopted by her maternal grandparents at age 8 and raised in a loving Canadian home. When she met Gordon Ridd, a young Winnipeg firefighter, she was head over heels. Married on November 8, 1947, they welcomed Nancy Jane into the world in 1950. Three years later their son, Daniel William, was born. Danny was stricken with polio during the Polio Epidemic of the 1950’s. He survived and at that point Gordon had enough of fighting fires at 40 below zero so they decided to move their young family to the U.S. - Gordon first, then Kay and the kids to follow. They settled in Montclair where she led a happy life. With Gordon moving up in the Montclair Fire Department, she was involved in the MFD wives auxiliary, a PTA member, Little League mom for Danny and sewing costumes for Nancy’s baton twirling competitions. Life was good.
Nancy and Danny graduated, married and started families. Gordon and Kay became empty nesters.
Gordon retired as Division Chief of the Montclair Fire Department in 1983 and they moved up to Carson City, Nevada. They spent the next chapter of their lives in leisure, trading a San Gabriel Mountain view for a Sierra Nevada Mountain View.
When Danny died suddenly in 1991 they moved back down to Southern California to be near their daughter-in-law, Linda and her two young daughters, Cameron and Maurgan. Gordon died unexpectedly in 1998 followed by Nancy after a valiant battle with cancer in 2005.
In 2006 Kay found renewed joy following the family to Winchester, CA. Cameron, her husband, Drake, and their two sons, Dominic and Jaxon, welcomed Kay into their home two and a half years ago, after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and other health issues. There she lived out her days surrounded by the love and attention of family.
Her laughter, generosity and “joie de vivre” will be forever missed and not forgotten.
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About |
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| Name | Catherine “Kay” Grace Ridd |
| Date of Birth | July 2nd, 1928 |
| Date of Death | April 18th, 2023 |
| Home Town | Winnipeg, MB, CA |
| Other City | Winchester, CA, US |
| In Memoriam Donation | Alzheimer's Los Angeles |
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| Other | Keeper Virtual Memorial Events | |
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published a tribute .
Dear Cameron and Family,
I am writing to send along my condolences on the recent loss of your grandmother. The obituary of Kay was so well written and she seemed a lovely woman with a caring family. It seems serendipitous that I came across her obituary while researching my own family tree last month. My great grandfather was David Folster, younger (and only) brother to Kay's mother (Catherine Jane Folster Clements Silfors- "Katy"). David's descents seem to have lost touch with Katy's descendants over the years, however recent research connected me to your family. If at anytime you would like to connect, I'd be happy to share details about David Folster and his family line, most of his grandchildren and great grandchildren are living in Alberta and BC, Canada. I also have details on David and Katy's parents and ancestors to share. I am attaching a photo of David Foster and his wife Dorcas Wark.
Feel free to email me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.
Wishing you well.
Tawna McKay
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published a tribute .
Such a beautiful remembrance service. Auntie Kay's love for family and friends was abundant in thought, word and deed. She opened her home to me for a couple of weeks a year for several years (to break up the winter). We had great talks, great food both at home and out in her favorite restaurants. Fond, fond memories and she will be missed!!
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Auntie Kay at my wedding in 2004 in Winnipeg. She was always so much fun and loving.
Victoria Spindler Dawydiuk
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Having attended high school with Nancy and Danny, I met Kay & Gordon as a sophomore. I always admired their marriage as they truly enjoyed each other’s company, loved & respected each other. Kay exhibited great strength after the loss of Danny, Nancy & Gordon. Kay had an optimistic outlook & a constant smile. She will be missed & remembered by all.
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published a tribute .
Kay was the mother of my little league and high school sports teammate, the mother of my wife’s baton twirling teacher, the wife of a former coworker and, most importantly, the matriarch of an incredible, loving, and inclusive family. Throughout most of my life, the Ridds were a part of the fabric of my life, with Kay’s simile and effervescence always present. As time passed and we all started our own families, I prized the times Leslie and I got to spend with Kay and the growing Ridd clan. There was always fun, laughter and love and, at the center of it all, Kay.
I am sad for the entire Ridd family. Kay will be missed but never forgotten.
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published a tribute .
Grandma Kay loved everyone and she was so proud of her kids, her grandkids and even her honorary grandkids. I’ll never forget the baseball games you came to and happy you were to always see us! Your amazing hugs and genuine smile will truly be missed. I love you Grandma Kay!
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published a tribute .
Kay Ridd was the most positive person I will ever know. Kay has been part of my life for over 54 years, there is known one that lights up a room with just her smile as Kay did. I was fortunate to had been friends with Danny her son. We had a silly club called the virgin devils club. Kay was alway there to support her boys, the club consisted of Danny, Chuck, (me) Steve, Jim, and Paul, Kay embroidered white golf hats with are names on the back of the hats. When we went over to Danny’s house Kay alway had cookies in the cookie jar and we gobbled them all up. She always called me son number three, I will miss her, it’s gives me great comfort knowing she is will our father in heaven and her family.
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published a tribute .
My Auntie Kay Memory
So, it was my brother’s wedding at some point after the wedding (the following morning I think) some family and friends were gathered around the hotel pool. A groomsman, still in his tux and still loaded, saw Auntie Kay floating in the pool and thought it a good idea to swim with her. So he takes a mighty leap into the pool alongside Auntie Kay (wearing his Tux jacket, pants shoes). He makes this huge splash lots of waves and almost sending Auntie Kay out of the floating thing she was lounging in. We were all shocked, mouths gaping and my Mom’s face was priceless, likely thinking about the upcoming bill for the damaged tux (they paid for tux rentals). The rest off us were simply shocked that this clod could be so reckless given Auntie Kay’s age and she had a bad hip. Well Auntie Kay was a trooper and always loved to chat so she didn’t miss a beat and said “well thanks for dropping in”. And the groomsman? He never offered to pay for the ruined tux and remained in my Mom’s bad books for life.
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published a tribute .
♥️ One of the MANY times she's enjoying and supporing her wonderful family.
♥️ I've witnessed this since the days of the Eagles.
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published a tribute .
Oh Cameron. I’m so so so sorry to read of Kay’s passing. I remember how she treated me when I was invited into their home for Danny, Paul Plaster (my ex), and my graduation. I hadn’t met Gordon or Kay before. They treated me with the most beautiful kindness and I felt loved there and not out of place. They even had some little gifts for me too. Everyone was so special to me - and every time I saw Kay she had a smile on her face. She will be missed - but her love will live on in everyone’s heart that came across her path in life. With my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
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