Obituary for Judith Bridgeman (Tebbit)
Judith Damaris Bridgeman (nee Tebbit)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Judith Bridgeman who left us peacefully at Lookout Ridge Retirement Home on February 10, 2021 (age 93).
Judith was born on June 1, 1927 in Binbrook Ontario, the youngest child of Amy Maud Tebbit and Alfred Sidney Cunningham Tebbit. She is also predeceased by her two older brothers, Edgar and Roland; husband Allan of over 60 years; and, daughter Mary Ellen.
Growing up on a small dairy and crops farm just outside of Smithville, her family was not of means but they wanted for nothing. In school, Judith was whip smart and, on the recommendation of her principal, Dr. E.L. Crossley, earned a full scholarship to McMaster University where she graduated magna cum laude in English (which made her a stickler for grammar and diction, and a most formidable opponent at Scrabble!)
It was while attending McMaster, shortly after the War, during a dance, that she met Allan Edgar Bridgeman. They fell hard for each other, and after a brief courtship, they married on June 7, 1947. A gaggle of boomers soon followed: Barbara Ann (friend Guy Royal), Mary Ellen (d. 2011, husband David, son Justin); Eric Lyle (wife Eda); Wendy Jean (friend Bill McLaughlin); Brian Edgar (wife Lois and son Luis); Nancy Joan (wife Catherine and children Katie, Kurtis and Jenny).
There are not enough words to describe what a loving kind, caring compassionate woman Judith was, a picture of grace and goodness. Quick to forgive and unfailingly supportive, those who encountered her felt enriched by her kindness and warmed by her smile. [The only blemish, according to family lore, was the one time she nearly drove through a yellow light. And, in a moment of pique, she did once utter the word "fiddle".] She was a devoted wife to Allan, and an exceedingly caring mother to her six children: the best mother a child could ever have.
With six busy children, running the household was a full-time job. When the starter home in Fenwick became too cramped, the family moved to Fonthill in 1963 where they lived on Pinecrest for over 40 years.
Judith was a masterful craftsperson, teacher, role model, hostess, scrabble fanatic and more. She was the neighbourhood go-to sewing expert, and excelled at any hobby she put her mind to, especially needlework. She loved her home, and throughout her marriage, enjoyed creating hand-crafted furnishings and accessories with Allan.
Judith was ever thoughtful and generous and always found time to give back to her community. She was a long-serving member of the Fonthill Baptist Church where for a time she served as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher. She taught English as a second language at Niagara College and canvassed regularly for the Canadian Cancer Society. She served on the executive of Town Square Manor and on the Welland Hospital Auxiliary. As a member of Pelham Cares, she drove countless seniors to appointments across Niagara Region.
After Allan retired from a career in education, they travelled regularly, keen to explore the world. A favoured destination was Australia, where Judith's mother was born in 1889, and where son Eric resides. The bicentennial of Australia opened the door to exploring her heritage as a First Fleet/convict descendant!
Judith was a loving grandmother to Justin, Katie, Kurtis, Jenny and Luis, and a second mother to her niece Marilynn Tebbit. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. A kind and gentle soul who always made everyone feel special. Judith was never without a smile … right to the end. The family extends its sincere thanks to the kind staff at Lookout Ridge who provided exceptional care and support to our dear mother over her four years of residence there and throughout her final days.
There will not be a funeral service, but the family is aiming to hold a Celebration of Life for Judith later in the spring, circumstances permitting. In the meantime, we welcome those who wish to do so to post memories, pictures or comments at the online condolences page of the Pelham Funeral Home. www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Judith Bridgeman who left us peacefully at Lookout Ridge Retirement Home on February 10, 2021 (age 93).
Judith was born on June 1, 1927 in Binbrook Ontario, the youngest child of Amy Maud Tebbit and Alfred Sidney Cunningham Tebbit. She is also predeceased by her two older brothers, Edgar and Roland; husband Allan of over 60 years; and, daughter Mary Ellen.
Growing up on a small dairy and crops farm just outside of Smithville, her family was not of means but they wanted for nothing. In school, Judith was whip smart and, on the recommendation of her principal, Dr. E.L. Crossley, earned a full scholarship to McMaster University where she graduated magna cum laude in English (which made her a stickler for grammar and diction, and a most formidable opponent at Scrabble!)
It was while attending McMaster, shortly after the War, during a dance, that she met Allan Edgar Bridgeman. They fell hard for each other, and after a brief courtship, they married on June 7, 1947. A gaggle of boomers soon followed: Barbara Ann (friend Guy Royal), Mary Ellen (d. 2011, husband David, son Justin); Eric Lyle (wife Eda); Wendy Jean (friend Bill McLaughlin); Brian Edgar (wife Lois and son Luis); Nancy Joan (wife Catherine and children Katie, Kurtis and Jenny).
There are not enough words to describe what a loving kind, caring compassionate woman Judith was, a picture of grace and goodness. Quick to forgive and unfailingly supportive, those who encountered her felt enriched by her kindness and warmed by her smile. [The only blemish, according to family lore, was the one time she nearly drove through a yellow light. And, in a moment of pique, she did once utter the word "fiddle".] She was a devoted wife to Allan, and an exceedingly caring mother to her six children: the best mother a child could ever have.
With six busy children, running the household was a full-time job. When the starter home in Fenwick became too cramped, the family moved to Fonthill in 1963 where they lived on Pinecrest for over 40 years.
Judith was a masterful craftsperson, teacher, role model, hostess, scrabble fanatic and more. She was the neighbourhood go-to sewing expert, and excelled at any hobby she put her mind to, especially needlework. She loved her home, and throughout her marriage, enjoyed creating hand-crafted furnishings and accessories with Allan.
Judith was ever thoughtful and generous and always found time to give back to her community. She was a long-serving member of the Fonthill Baptist Church where for a time she served as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher. She taught English as a second language at Niagara College and canvassed regularly for the Canadian Cancer Society. She served on the executive of Town Square Manor and on the Welland Hospital Auxiliary. As a member of Pelham Cares, she drove countless seniors to appointments across Niagara Region.
After Allan retired from a career in education, they travelled regularly, keen to explore the world. A favoured destination was Australia, where Judith's mother was born in 1889, and where son Eric resides. The bicentennial of Australia opened the door to exploring her heritage as a First Fleet/convict descendant!
Judith was a loving grandmother to Justin, Katie, Kurtis, Jenny and Luis, and a second mother to her niece Marilynn Tebbit. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. A kind and gentle soul who always made everyone feel special. Judith was never without a smile … right to the end. The family extends its sincere thanks to the kind staff at Lookout Ridge who provided exceptional care and support to our dear mother over her four years of residence there and throughout her final days.
There will not be a funeral service, but the family is aiming to hold a Celebration of Life for Judith later in the spring, circumstances permitting. In the meantime, we welcome those who wish to do so to post memories, pictures or comments at the online condolences page of the Pelham Funeral Home. www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario.