Mona Murphy Ridgaway

Mona Ridgaway, 75, of Amarillo, died Thursday, January 25, 2018. Memorial services will be 2:00 pm Monday at Hillside Christian Church- West Campus, 6100 S. Soncy, with Pastor Roger Arnold officiating. Mona Murphy Ridgaway, born on July 22, 1942 to Pat and Calista Murphy in San Diego, California, was created to lead a family from day one. Even though she was the fourth of seven children, she learned to care for others at an early age. In 1957, she married Eugene "Gene" Ridgaway, who would remain the eternal love of her life. Mona and Gene would raise five children in cities throughout the southwest, including Roswell, Ruidoso, Albuquerque, NM, Amarillo, TX, and San Diego, CA. At the same time Mona, an excellent scholar and dedicated learner, earned four college degrees: the first as a registered nurse, a career choice she maintained for 40 years while raising her family. She then earned bachelor's degrees in nursing, English, and history. Throughout her lifetime, Mona offered her healing touch and caring nature to everyone she met, including children and animals, who seemed to be drawn to her. Mona had a special gift of intuition, a God-given instinct of forthcoming events, which counseled and protected her loved ones in notable instances. She also made a point of gathering her family often, cooking wonderful meals and keeping an open, loving home for them at all times. Mona's caring gifts helped her actively contribute to many social/service groups throughout her life, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, Eastern Star, the Beta Sigma Phi sorority (in which she participated for almost 50 years), and her local church, to name just a few. Later in life, Mona settled in Amarillo and, in keeping with her caring spirit, adopted her granddaughter Hannah after her youngest daughter's accidental death. Mona ended her long, difficult war with cancer on January 25, 2018-a battled she waged until the very last moment. She is remembered by all who know her as a matriarch, a student, a teacher, an encourager, a dear friend, and a strong woman who changed lives with her love. She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter Mona Jean Ridgaway Tordale; her ex-husband Gene; a sister, Patricia Murphy; and a brother, Dennis Murphy. Survivors include four daughters, Deena Gordon and husband David, Beverly Ridgaway, Sharri Miller and Hannah Ridgaway; a son, Thomas Ridgaway and wife Toni; two sisters, Selma Richards and Calista Kelley and husband Robert; two brothers, Noel Taggart and wife Ellen, and Raymond Taggart and wife Liz; 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family would deeply appreciate memorials made to The Hannah Ridgaway Fund at any Happy State Bank location. Please sign our online guestbook and share your personal stories at CoxFuneralHomeAmarillo.com.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service Hillside Christian West Campus Chapel 6100 S Soncy Rd Amarillo, TX Monday, January 29, 2018 2:00 PM

Memorial Contributions

Hannah Ridgaway Fund Happy State Bank Any HSB location Amarillo, TX