Catherine Bowen Ridley

Catherine Bowen Ridley, 91, of Springvale, died September 24 at the Greenwood Center in Sanford after a long illness.She was born in Saco on July 18, 1920 a daughter of John and Evalyn (Glass) Crowley, attended Saco Schools and was a 1939 graduate of Thornton Academy. She moved to Sanford and attended Nasson College in Springvale.In 1942 she married Ermont Bowen and together they raised their family. He died in 1979. She was employed for many years as an operator and a clerk for New England Telephone and then Verizon, retiring some years ago.In 1986, she married J. Everett "Red" Ridley, Jr. They were active in the Special Olympics program at Sugarloaf for several years. He died in 2006. A longtime member of the Sanford Methodist Church, more recently she had been a member of the North Parish Congregational Church.Active in Eastern Star circles, she was a longtime member of and served as Past Matron for Ruth Chapter, OES in Springvale, and was a Past District Deputy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Maine, OES. She was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Beals and her husband Ellis of Springvale, son Richard Bowen of Kennebunk, granddaughter Laurie Beals of Springvale, grandson Eric Beals, his wife Jennifer and their children Evan, Elizabeth and Trevor, of Lyman, grandson Edward "Tim" Beals, his wife Jill and their children Everett and Ella of Kennebunk, and several nieces and nephews.Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday from 6-8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale where a ritualistic service will be conducted at 7:00 PM by members of Ruth Chapter #14, OES. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Crossroads United Methodist Church in Sanford. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery in Sanford.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Alzheimers Association Maine Chapter, 383 US Route 1 Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.