Goodridge, Ariel Eileen (nee Billings) 1921-2001

February 9, 1921 – November 2, 2001
 

Ariel Goodridge lost her battle with cancer November 2, 2001. She was diagnosed in January, one month before her 80th birthday. Despite the total amputation of her left leg, the cancer spread, and she died on November 2nd. She was awake and aware until the day before she died. I was privileged to spend the last week of her life with her and my father, and we had a wonderful time until the end. 

If there can be a “best way” to die, I would choose to do it like she did. A few weeks before the end, my whole family went see her in northern Michigan. Despite a variety of lifestyles and geographic locations, we all made it for one final bon voyage. We spent a weekend talking, laughing, sharing memories, and finally, saying goodbye.

Ariel’s only child died at birth, but she was aunt and “surrogate mom” to many. She was behind the scenes at my wedding, and many other family events, cooking, creating, and just generally helping out–always there when we needed her. I am personally grateful for the hours she spent poring over old pictures and helping me piece the family tree together. She will be missed by all.

Ariel in the early 1950’s

Ariel and Harry celebrate 25 years

Ariel with her nephews, 1999

FACTS ABOUT ARIEL EILEEN GOODRIDGE

OBITUARY: Ariel E. Goodridge. Ariel E. Goodridge (80) of Huron Beach, died Friday afternoon (November 2, 2001) at her home. The daughter of William and Ariel (Watson) Billings, she was born February 9, 1921 at St. Thomas, Ontario in Canada and moved with her family to Detroit in 1928.

She graduated from Northwestern High School in Detroit in 1938 and then began working at J.L. Hudson Company’s department store there. She later became the store representative for Helena Rubenstein Cosmetics and after 25 years of service she retired in 1965.

On August 7, 1942, she and Harry Goodridge were married in Detroit where they made their home until her retirement. They then moved to Ocqueoc Township where she had been an organizer and active with the Dancing Hippopotamus Craft Show for more than 30 years. She also was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Moltke and its Ladies Aid Society. Her husband preceded her in death in 1988.

She is survived by a brother George (Bill) Billings of Huron Beach; two nieces; three nephews; and eight grandnieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by an infant son; her brother Jack Billings at the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944; her father in 1975 and her mother in 1995.

Visitation was Sunday at the Bill Brietzke Funeral Home. Funeral service was Monday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Paul Ruediger officiating.

Interment was at Immanuel Church Cemetery. Memorials have been suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Hospice of the Sunrise Shore.

NAME AT BIRTH: Ariel Eileen Billings

BIRTH: 9 Feb 1921, St. Thomas, Elgin County, Ontario, Canada
DEATH: 2 Nov 2001, Huron Beach, Ocqueoc, Michigan
BURIAL: 5 Nov 2001, Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Presque Isle County, Michigan
FATHER: William Albert Billings
MOTHER: Ariel Laverne Watson

MARRIED: Harry William Goodridge, 7 Aug 1942
CHILD: Jack Ramon Goodridge

LINKS: Ariel’s family genealogy is at http://myheritagesite.com

E-mail a message to Ariel’s Family