Casceilia Saint Clair Durham Ridgway

Casceilia Ridgway, known to her grandchildren as "Yaya," was born on April 26, 1931, in Philadelphia, PA. She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, John E. Ridgway. Casceilia is survived by her six children: Cacelia Ridgway Harsh, Arliss Wolf, Robin Lee, John D. Ridgway, Wendy McMcDevitt, and Andrew Ridgway. She is also survived by four siblings, 15 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Casceilia, who had an enduring passion for reading and learning, was the only one of 11 siblings to graduate from high school. Caregiving came naturally to Casceilia, and that's what launched her career. In the early years, while tending to the needs of her family, she worked as a nurse's aide before obtaining her LPN license. She spent years caring for others at Fair Acres Nursing Home, Riddle Hospital, and Lankenau Hospital. At the age of 50, she obtained her RN license. The flame for lifelong learning was still burning in Casceilia, and after taking a nursing position at Pennsylvania Hospital, she embarked upon coursework towards a BS in Nursing. At the age of 62, she retired from Pennsylvania Hospital, having worked there for 10 years as a second shift Supervisor of Nurses in the ICU unit. Upon retirement, Casceilia and John moved to Atlanta, GA where she worked part-time as a nurse at North Fulton Hospital in Georgia until retiring for good in 2003. Casceilia was a proud, private woman with a determination to further herself and provide the best opportunities for her children. She purchased her first computer at the age of 60 and taught herself to use it. Growing up, her children remember Casceilia coming home after working the night nursing shift, getting them ready for the school day, then sitting down to eat breakfast herself while reading the newspaper front to back before going to sleep for the day, only to be "up and at it" again when they returned home. Casceilia emphasized education to all her children so that they would be able to support themselves. At the age of 72, she became a follower of Christ and was baptized. Her faith sustained her through trials and she encouraged her children to rely on their faith to get them through life's trials and tribulations. On August 12, 2020, angels ushered Casceilia's soul into Heaven to meet Jesus. Her family will miss her tremendously. A private ceremony will be held in the near future, due to Covid-19.