Vi Riddell, 94, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, at Quail Haven Village, Pinehurst. Memorial services and a celebration of her life will be held at West End Presbyterian Church in West End, at 2 pm, on Saturday, January 17.
She died of longevity and its various challenges – a fall, the related effects and complications, and a series of strokes over her last few weeks.
Violet Gladys (Janda) Riddell was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter to Anna Rose (Mottys) and Anton Janda.
Her parents were members of the Bohemian community in the Chicago area, and the family lived in Cicero and Berwyn. She attended public schools in Berwyn, graduating from J. Sterling Morton High School. She pursued further education at Morton Junior College, earning an associate’s degree, and then went to Northern Illinois State Teachers College where she received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
She married her high school sweetheart, Fred Riddell, shortly after his graduation from the University of Illinois in Metallurgical Engineering as he entered the U.S. Navy. They were stationed in Washington, DC for the last two years of World War II.
Mrs. Riddell worked as a teacher and a substitute teacher in Chicago suburban schools in the 1940’s and 1950’s.
After having lived in Downers Grove for three decades, the Riddells retired and moved to Seven Lakes in 1979.
They were members of the Seven Lakes Country Club, and later members of Richmond Pines. They enjoyed bridge and contract bridge, traveled abroad frequently, and participated in Elder Hostel activities.
She was a Director of the Seven Lakes Landowners Association and volunteered working with Pine Tree Enterprises in West End, the Sandhills Coalition, and Tuesday Tutoring at the West End Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Riddell preceded in death by her sister, Irene (Janda) Saggars; her husband Fred; and her son, David.
She is survived by her daughter, Lynne Maroun, of Seven Lakes; and by her son, Tom Riddell, and his wife, Meg Robbins, of Northampton, MA; her grandchildren step-grand-children; and her great- and step-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Vi Riddell’s memory to First Health Hospice Foundation, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374, or Tuesday Tutoring at West End Presbyterian Church, PO Box 13, West End, NC 27376.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family, and burial was at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Southern Pines.
