Our Mum Linda Ann Ridley was born on 26 November 1947, Sacremento California. She was the first daughter to Melvyn Lemar Parr and Verna May Parr. She then became a proud and protective sister to Dianne, Debbie, Melvyn, Laura and cathy.

For the most part of our lives in America mom did it tough as a single mom raising two young children. Mom was an incredibly hard worker usually working 6 days a week and very long hours on her feet, yet she never complained.  We didn’t have a lot of money but the sacrifices she made for my brother and myself were countless.

Mom taught us many things as young kids that hold us in good stead today, good manners, respect of elders and sound moral values.

Mom’s world changed forever the day she met Phil. Mom knew he was the one for her.   Their courtship was difficult as they had to overcome distance, but Phill was determined to bring us to Australia and make mom his wife. A very heavily pregnant mom boarded a plane in 1982 with my brother and I heading for Australia.  Mom and Phill married shortly after we arrived and our family of 3 soon became 5 with the birth of Nicole. 

We moved around australia with dads postings and mum gained alot of wonderful lifetime friends and stories during this time, and also some of these friends never left and still haunting and love to raid the lolly jar.

Mum had the biggest heart – loved with every beat of it right up until the last beat. Mum opened her heart to all her family and friends, infact when it came to mum and friends – you were family (including pensioners).

Mum was a funny character – always making us laugh and when she did her laugh we all ended up laughing at her laugh – it was infectious!!!!

She loved the show cops, the CI channel, Judge Judy and criminal minds. I believe in her second life she will make a great detective – well she had plenty of practice on me anyways. Dad says aint that the truth.

Her family and her role as a grandmother were the most important things to mom.  This is where she drew her strength and leaves her legacy. She had a fiery side too. She wasn’t afraid to tell a person off or put them in her place especially if someone was doing wrong by her family and friends.

Mums favourite time of the year is Christmas – mum made Christmas, christmas.  Her house would transform into a Christmas wonderland which made all the kids smile and the whole street would talk about Dads Christmas lights which made mum so happy.

Mom was our best friend, our confident and our comfort when times were tough. I don’t know how we are going to cope without her. She will be missed by all, but her memory will live on forever.

 We love you so much mom and will miss you more than words can say.