Obituary of Theresa Ridings

Theresa M. Ridings, a retired accountant for Liberty Mutual passed away at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington with her children at her bedside on Sunday afternoon, May 17, 2009. She was 80 years old. Theresa was born in Boston, the daughter of the late Edward and Margaret Gallagher. She was one of 11 children growing up in Charlestown. Being a member of such a large family provided her with countless memories. She married Robert P. Ridings, a Boston Police Officer and they made their home in Charlestown until 1976 when they moved to Woburn. Raising her children in Charlestown, gave them the same opportunity to experience the close knit community, where everone knew your name and your family. Theresa worked for over 30 years as an accountant for Liberty Mutual in Boston. She worked hard to balance her work life with her family life. Theresa was a member of the Charlestown School Girls Association and the Elliot Club. She enjoyed vacations, with California, Europe and Ireland being some of her most favorite destinations. Theresa’s family and faith were the most important part of her life. She lived next door to her daughter and her grandchildren for 32 years. She enjoyed her very large extended family. She always enjoyed celebrating holidays and special events with her family. Theresa had a strong faith in God. She believed in the power of the rosary and that comforted her during her illness. She will be lovingly remembered by all her family and friends. Theresa was the wife of the late Robert P. Ridings. She was the loving mother of Pat Doody of Woburn, Richard Timothy Ridings & his wife Kathleen of NJ, and the late Robert Ridings, Jr. She was the sister of the late Frances Cottier, Margaret Prendable, Mildred Kelley, Jane Lee, James, Edward, Richard, Raymond, Robert, and William Gallagher. She was the grandmother of Keith Ridings of NH, Alyson Doody of FL, Jim Doody of Woburn, and Alyson Rose Ridings of NJ and great grandmother of Katelyn Doody, Keegan, Emma, and Gavin Ridings. She was also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Friday, May 22 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Barbara’s Church, 138 Cambridge Road, Woburn, at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Memorials in Theresa’s name may be made to a charity of one’s own choice.