Posted on 08/31/2005 10:43:55 AM PDT by Borges
ERIE, Pa. - Laura Ridge, the mother of former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, died Tuesday. She was 82.
Ridge died at Saint Mary's Home of Erie after an extended illness.
Tom Ridge stepped down as governor in 2001 to become head of the U.S. Homeland Security Department.
The Ridge family emphasized education - her other son, David Ridge, is an attorney and daughter Vikki Ridge is director of human resources at Princeton University. But she always saw them first as family.
After her son was elected governor in 1992, she said, "I'll always be Laura Ridge, no matter what Tom does."
David Ridge said his mother was a humble woman with "an absolute heart of gold."
"She was a very special lady, and one of the things that made her special was she never thought she was," he said.
Laura Ridge's friend Debbie Huvar said she "definitely was the inspiration and heart and soul of her family."
Laura Ridge was preceded in death by her husband, who died in 1985.
This is news?
She raised a fine man. RIP.
Well, I didn't like her son, both as Gooberman of PA and as Homeland Security Grand Exalted Poobah and Keeper of the Holy Grail.
But that said, it wasn't personal.
And I still wish rest in peace for Mrs. Ridge and comfort to her family.
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