Ruth Phoebe Ringer Ridge

Ruth Phoebe Ringer Ridge January 30, 1917 - April 1, 2013 Ruth Phoebe Ringer Ridge, beloved matriarch of her family, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2013. She was 96. Born in New York City on January 30, 1917, Ruth was the third of five children born to Franz Edward Ringer and Anna Ross Ringer, immigrants from Hungary and Ireland, respectively, who each arrived at Ellis Island and met while working in service in Philadelphia. Ruth grew up on East 65th Street in Manhattan, where Central Park was her playground. Following graduation from high school, she attended college for one year and later worked in the city and volunteered with the USO organization. After World War II, Ruth married George W. Ridge and moved to Florida. Following a career at Florida East Coast Railway that spanned four decades, Mrs. Ridge retired; however, she believed staying busy was the secret to a long and healthy life, and she continued to work at the Gamsey Carriage Company at the Visitors Information Center for many years. Mrs. Ridge was a long-time member of Trinity Episcopal Parish, the Florida East Coast Railway Businesswomen's Association, and the Flagler Hospital Auxiliary. She traveled extensively in the US, UK and Europe, and remained close to her cousins in Northern Ireland. Ruth was predeceased by her parents and siblings, her closest friend, Gertrude Wolfe, and her sister-in-law, Margaret Ringer, who lived with Ruth for many years in retirement in her St. Augustine Shores home. Mrs. Ridge is survived by her son, George E. Ridge of Jacksonville, and daughter, Nancy Ridge Gamsey of St. Augustine; her four beloved grandchildren, Alan (Katherine) Ridge and Ryan Ridge of Jacksonville, Erin (Zach) Keller of Jacksonville and Lorraine Gamsey of St. Augustine; two great-grandchildren, Lee and Logan Ridge; dear friends Jean and Jeff Morse and family; and a host of loving friends. A service of celebration of the life of Ruth Ridge will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, at Trinity Episcopal Parish; a reception at the church will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trinity Episcopal Parish, 215 St. George Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Arrangements by St. Johns Family Funeral Home.