Mary J. Ridgway, a woman who truly lived as a "Lover of Life," passed away peacefully on May 4, 2026. She was 86.  A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she spent her days ensuring those around her felt cared for and loved.

Born to Maria Signore and Umberto D’Elia, she was part of a large, spirited family. She is reunited with her husband Joseph Ridgway and her siblings Michael (Michaelina), Anthony, Clara (Norman), Albert, Jenny (Phil), Eva (Tony), Florence (Alfonzo), and Mario (Philomena). She is survived by her daughters Dana Ridgway and her partner Gerald Brady of Wilmington, DE, Joanna Ridgway-Riley and her husband Kenneth of Ewing, NJ, her son Joseph M. Ridgway and his wife Jeanne of Southampton, PA, her grandchildren Kaitlyn Lynner (Colton), William (Meghan), and Jack Schury, Owen Joseph and Maria Riley, and Mary Kate (Adrienne), Megan Broderick (Joe), and Grace Ridgway, and great grandchild Rowan Lynner, her sisters in law Frances D’Elia (the late Anthony D’Elia) Agnes Smart (the late John Smart ), Mary Ellen Sivel (the late Joe Sivel ), and Theresa Biansco and her husband Ralph, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Her professional life began as an executive secretary at Honeywell, and she later managed bookkeeping for Yardley Medical while raising her family. However, she always said her "best job" was being a wife to Joe and a homemaker to her three children. She took immense pride in raising her children and later doting on her grandchildren, who were the lights of her life. Her compassion was also felt by her own mother, whom she took amazing care of for many years.

A dedicated volunteer, she gave her time to St. Ignatius Rectory, Our Lady of Fatima in Bensalem, The Lord’s Table in Trenton, and St. Mary’s Hospital. When she wasn't serving others, she was enjoying life with her Yardley friends at either book club, drinking martinis or doing lunch, laughing it up with her long-time friends Trudy and Peg or catching a matinee at Walnut Street or Bristol River Theaters with her husband.

She loved traveling the world by train, plane, and boat, but she was just as happy at "her" special table at the Yardley Inn.  As a board member of the Sons of Italy, she took great pride in her heritage and community.

She leaves behind a legacy of service, deep friendships, and a family who will miss her every day. 

Words of remembrance will begin at 10:45am on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church 999 Reading Avenue Yardley, PA 19067, followed by the funeral Mass at 11:00am. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the church, and again on Wednesday morning from 10:00am to 10:45am at the church. Entombment of cremains will be private and under the care of the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Ave. Yardley, PA 19067.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer's Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org or to Dementia Society of America www.dementiasociety.org.  Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.