Nancy Nell Ridgeway
November 25, 1935- February 20, 2022


Nancy was born and raised in Bethel Park a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She loved the city of Pittsburgh and enjoyed going back to visit. During her high school years she was very social and was the head majorette with her best friend. She loved to dance, had many friends and participated in many school activities. She met her husband Jim, as he lived on the next street over. They went to school together and were married in May of 1955. Together they raised three sons and a daughter. In 1964, they moved to Maryland and eventually settled on Weldon Drive. They made many close friends in the neighborhood.

In the 60's, one special memory was the love of tropical fish. Every Saturday they would pile into the car and go to fish stores looking to add to their collection. This made many fabulous family memories, and Brian still loves fish to this day. At one point, the entire basement was filled with fish tanks! In the early 70's Jimmy talked his parents into getting him a horse. This started a legacy that continues on today in the family. For many years, weekends were spent at horse shows, riding lessons and cleaning tack. She was very active in 4H, and that continued with her grandchildren. Nancy loved the horses and would get up each morning to feed and clean the barn, until a couple of years ago. She still loved looking out her window at the beautiful horses in the field.

In 1986, Nancy and Jim followed Jimmy and Holly down to Calvert County. Shelley ended up buying a house on the same street. That worked out wonderfully, as Nancy was able to assist Shelley while she worked, with her three children. Nancy was such a positive role model with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a member of Grace Brethren Church and on Wednesday's would take Shelley's three children to Wednesday night dinner and bible school. She always made sure her grandchildren and even great grandchildren attended summer bible school, and usually was seen there helping. Nancy led a very family focused life and was the center of her family. She loved celebrating the holidays, especially Easter and Christmas. She would spend days decorating both in and outside the house. At Easter there would be many plastic bunnies lining her long driveway to her home. There was always an intense Easter egg hunt too! Christmas was always the most special day of the year for Nancy who was really a kid at heart. The family always celebrated Christmas Day at her house and would have a wrapping paper fight after opening presents. She would get so disgusted with everyone as paper balls would be flying through the living room (until someone had a bad aim and hit one of her figurines, then she would put a stop to it). It was one of many special memories that she made with her family. She would help all of her kids and grandchildren making sure they made horse riding lessons, and other after school activities. She was the number one "cheerleader" for all of her family.

Through the years, Nancy was an avid bowler and participated on many teams. She loved going on Friday morning to see all of her friends. She bowled right up to her 84th year. She also loved to play cards. She used to host bridge club at her home, and she continued playing Hand and Foot with several groups of friends in Calvert County.

Nancy was a loyal fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins. Every Sunday when the kids lived at home, she would fix a large roast dinner and make fried mushrooms and chicken livers as appetizers while the games were on. As the kids aged, they realized what a labor of love that was and appreciated all her efforts. In later years, when the sports teams were playing, they would all be texting each other rooting for the teams! Nancy lived a full and wonderful life. She made many memories for her family and will be missed tremendously. She is in a better place now free of pain and at peace with the Lord.

She was preceded in death by her husband James R. Ridgeway in 2009.

Surviving are sons James D Ridgeway and his wife Holly of Simpsonville, SC, Barry A. Ridgeway and his wife Tammy of Severna Park, MD and Brian R. Ridgeway of Owings, MD; daughter Michelle R. (Shelley) Davis and her husband Mike of Owings, MD; Grandchildren Matthew Davis of Arnold, MD, Jacob Davis of Owings, MD, Jessica Davis of Prince Frederick, MD, Kim Loveless and her husband Mike of Hughesville, MD, Brittany Newcomer and her husband Joel of Simpsonville, SC, and Kristen Ridgeway of Severna Park, MD; Great grandchildren Breeleigh and Britlyn Newcomer of Simpsonville, SC and Hunter and Morgan Loveless of Hughesville, MD; and sister Merlyn (Murph) Sterrett of Bethel Park, PA.


Visitation

Thursday, March 3, 2022
6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Rausch Funeral Home-Owings
8325 Mt. Harmony Lane
Owings, MD 20736

Friday, March 4, 2022
2:00 – 4:00 & 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Rausch Funeral Home-Owings
8325 Mt. Harmony Lane
Owings, MD 20736


Services

Saturday, March 5, 2022
1:00 P.M.
Calvert Grace Church
9870 Old Solomons Island Road
Owings, MD 20736

Link:
https://calvertgrace.org/

Interment

Southern Memorial Gardens
10155 Ward Road
Dunkirk, MD 20754