Obituary of Eileen H. Riddell

Eileen Hagen Riddell, 91, formerly of 8 Church St. Panama, NY died at 8:30 a.m. Thursday (November 8, 2012) An area resident for most of her life, Eileen was born February 15, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan the daughter of the late Lorne Boldie Hagen and Hilda Marguerite Schuster Hagen. She was raised in Grosse Point, Michigan and was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy and Wayne University. Eileen worked for many years for the former "Tradeco Kitchens" as a cost accountant. She had also worked as a Secretary for the Panama Central School System. She was the former Red Cross Chairman for the Red Cross Chapter's Harmony Branch, and had been a Red Cross Gray Lady at Jamestown General Hospital. She was also a vice president and program chairman for Panama P.T.A. Eileen enjoyed gourmet cooking, entertaining, and especially enjoyed the company of family and friends. She will be remembered for the many elegantly served meals she prepared for her family and friends, and for her gracious hospitable nature. She also organized many of the yearly Peek'N Peak Ski Patrol banquets, and activities with her husband Ramsay. She loved gardening, and also enjoyed many years of sailing on Chautauqua Lake with her husband. She loved to travel and traveled to Europe, South America, Florida, Canada, and to Montana to visit her grandchildren. Eileen's faith was always very important to her. She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Panama, NY and was a member of the Red Hatters Society, Chapter 5185. Surviving are a daughter, Nancy M. Nelson and her husband Gary H. Nelson of Ashville, a son Lorne T. Riddell of Trout Creek, Mont., five grandchildren Kara L. Nelson and companion Steve Pattison of Astoria, NY, Holly A. Nelson of Ashville, Ramsay M. Riddell, Tristan J. Riddell and Maggie R. Riddell all of Trout Creek, Mont. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Allan Ramsay Riddell whom she married June 4, 1947 and who died August 20, 2011. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 17, 2012, in Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church, Main St., Panama. The Rev. Joseph M. Dowdell, pastor will be celebrant. Inurnment will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery Urn Garden Columbarium. Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home where a Christian Wake Service will be led at 5:45 p.m. Friday. Memorials may be made to the Altar and Rosary Society of Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, 380 East Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750, Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750, or to a charity of one's choice.