Elizabeth Ann Ridout (Ann)
Thanksgiving Service for Elizabeth Ann Ridout (Ann) 1928 ~ 2022
Cherished wife of the late Tom, beloved mother of Amanda, Lucy and Charlie, and much loved grandmother of Thomas and Ella.
If you would like to donate to a charity in memory of Ann, these are the charities we have chosen:
Dorset Rural Music School
This community music school based in Blandford was very dear to Ann’s heart. It offers a wide range of musical tuition to individuals and groups and has been operating since 1947. Ann was an enthusiastic and long-standing supporter and served as DRMS chair for many years.
Dorset Historic Churches Trust
Since its foundation in 1960, Dorset Historic Churches Trust has provided funds to assist with the preservation, repair and maintenance of more than 250 local churches. Ann hugely enjoyed attending the regular DHCT lectures and Church Crawls, appreciating the chance to learn more about Dorset church architecture and stained glass.
Service Details
This Thanksgiving service is in place of a public funeral.
Monday, September 26th 2022 - 11:00
Wareham
Gallery
My deepest sympathy to Amanda,Lucy Charlie Ella and Thomas.
You were all so blessed to have such a amazing mum/ Grandmother .
I will miss her very much and I will remember her forever .
It was a absolute pleasure to care for both Mum and Dad they were truly amazing ,lovely people .They are now reunited together .
What a wonderful couple were Ann and Tom. In our hearts forever. My Annie would strongly agree !
Ann and I were colleagues at The Old Malthouse. Every year Ann took a party of boys to France and one year she asked me to accompany her. Ann drove the large minibus fearlessly, parking in places I would have been afraid to take a mini! The trip highlight was a guided walk across the sand – and quicksands – to Mont-Saint-Michel. This was a walk undertaken by pilgrims in the past and some died in the notorious tides of this area. I think Ann and I were glad to take a coach back to base with all the boys safe and sound. We had enjoyable meals out with them and occasionally Ann and I just ate together if the boys were busy elsewhere. Ann was a delightful person and so interesting. I was pleased to have that time in France with her and to really get to know her.
Ann has been a hugely important to me all my life: as my godmother and as my late Mum, Paddy’s, life long friend. She enabled me to have an enduring connection with my parents and grandparents. She combined intelligence, warmth, wit and energy and was always interested in the activities and opinions of others. I shall really miss her support throughout my life and our summer catch ups. My love and condolences to Amanda, Thomas, Lucy, Charles and Ella
I am so sorry to learn of Ann’s passing. She and Arch were such wonderful soulmates and enjoyed so many happy times together, especially in later life their travels on Minerva.
I always think of her as such a glamorous,sophisticated lady with a great love of culture and music and I believe she was still singing in her beloved choir until recent years.
We Ridouts enjoyed many family get togethers at Heath House and the food was always amazing. We have many photos remembering those happy days.
My heart goes out to Amanda, Lucy and Charlie and to Thomas and Ella.
On behalf of the East Dorset Antiquarian Society (EDAS) I would like send our condolences to the family. Ann (and her late husband Tom) encouraged EDAS, under Lilian Ladle, to undertake an archaeological excavation that revealed a long lost Roman Villa located on Druce Farm. Her enthusiasm and whole hearted support enabled the society to undertake the project that lasted eleven years. She immediately grasped the logistical challenges we faced, she provided a trusty Land Rover for transport, contributed essential funds to underpin the work, and made a small barn available for storage and post excavation tasks. Ann showed a keen interest throughout: we provided regular progress updates and she visited the site often with family and friends. She was keen that the local community was kept informed and allowed us to hold Open Days when up to 1,000 people attended. We know she was delighted that the work was coming to a successful conclusion with publication of the resultant monograph. The story of her very special Druce Farm Roman Villa will be shared with everyone interested in Roman Britain.
Andrew Morgan
EDAS Chairman
We are so sorry to hear of the death of Ann. The Ridouts have been long standing family friends with our father, David, being Tom’s best man at his wedding to Ann, having met in the navy. The two families spent many happy times together as we all grew up, and Tom and Ann were an amazing support to our mother, Rosemary, when David died young. Their friendship continued throughout their long and well lived lives – they will all be missed. Our deepest sympathy to Amanda, Lucy and Charlie and all the family at this time.
Det är med stor sorg jag fått meddelandet att Ann Ridout har gått bort. Jag har känt henne ända sen 1963, då jag i juli kom till henne och Tom som au pair för att ta hand om Amanda Jane, då 3 år. Deras hus, Heath House, var inte helt färdigt då, så jag fick börja bo med familjen på Druce farm med Ann’s föräldrar och syster. Jag stannade ett halvår och for tillbaka hem till Sverige till jul. Ända sen dess har vi haft kontakt, mestadels julhälsningar. Några gånger har jag varit tillbaka och besökt Heath House, senast för 10 år sen, då jag blev bjuden att stanna över natten. Vi for dagen därpå till Druce och det var fantastiskt att komma dit igen efter så många år. Det har varit väldigt roligt att ha haft denna långa kontakt och jag kommer att sakna Ann’s hälsningar. När jag såg Tom’s begravning på min dator förstod jag att Ann hade svårt att gå, men för övrigt var hon sig lik.
Frid över hennes minne!
It is with great sadness that I received the message that Ann Ridout has passed away. I have known her since 1963, when in July I came to her and Tom as an au pair to take care of Amanda Jane, then 3 years old. Their house, Heath House, was not quite finished then, so I had to start living with the family at Druce farm with Ann’s parents and sister. I stayed for six months and went back home to Sweden for Christmas. Ever since then we have been in contact, mostly Christmas greetings. A few times I have been back and visited Heath House, most recently 10 years ago, when I was invited to stay overnight. We went the next day to Druce and it was great to get there again after so many years. It has been a lot of fun to have had this long contact and I will miss Ann’s greetings. When I watched Tom’s funeral on my computer, I understood that Ann had difficulty walking, but otherwise she was the same.
Peace to her memory!
Dearest Ann
Your twinkling eyes have left this world to join your beloved Tom. Thank you for allowing me to care for Tom and yourself on and off since 2018, it honestly was a privilege. You (and your family) have a special place in my heart.
Caring for you in your last few months was an honour. We worked well as a team, and I now hold onto the many wonderful memories of a lady so strong, that loved Heath House passionately and all it stood for.
I will return to Wareham in due course and visit you and Tom in Puddletown. Gary will get to see all I’ve spoken about over the past four years and I will show him all you introduced me too with lots of love. Rest easy my AnnieAnn xx
Once again my sincere condolences go out to all the Ridout family 🕊🕊
Ann and I met in 1946 when I was 14 years of age. She spent the summer with us at Beckomberga when my brother Göran at the same time was a guest with Mr. and Mrs Bown at Druce. We have met innumerable times, at Druce, Heath House, in London, Paris , Scotland , Sthlm, the Minerva Ship in Stockholm, Backanäs , Sigtuna. She loved Backanäs and visited us whenever she could. She was the faithfullest of friends. Mother, Göran and I had a constant correspondance with her all through the years. Ann had a sharp intellect, a keen interest in everything and discussions with her were always lively and interesting. She was sparkling, intense, hospitable and generous and gave so much of herself. She always impressed me by being so well-read and knowledgeable. I´m very thankful for this long friendship, She was very much a part of the Wohlfahrt family for about 75 years.
Ann was wonderfully kind and supportive when I was treasurer of the SDH Ladies Lunch Club. We often used to sit together and she was always good company. Clever and amusing – never dull!
We shall all miss her.
My husband Ian was fond of her as well and enjoyed their chats about books.
May she RIP
With fond memories
Ian and Kristina Crowther
I have great memories from my stays at Heath House. Ann was such a warm, intelligent and witty person. I remember having a long and lively discussion with Ann about Ingemar Bergman´s films. Ann got involved in my favorite interest, older architecture and historical sites and sowed me around Dorset. I will never forget the visit to Bath. Ann taught me English and I am so grateful for her knowledge and the interest and commitment she showed me.
On behalf of Dorset Historic Churches Trust, we offer our condolences to all the family.
Ann has been a long standing Friend of DHCT. She was a wonderful supporter of the many activities-lectures, church visits (known as church crawls) and the annual celebrations.
Ann enjoyed joining in with them all and making many new friends of the Friends.
Her gentle and friendly manner will be much missed.
I have had the privilege of being Ann and Toms hairdresser for a number of years. They always welcomed me warmly with a smile and a coffee. Such a lovely couple. rest in peace together xx
It was a lovely service. Sorry I couldn’t be with you in person. I was admiring the gorgeous flowers and the wonderful choir.
Aunty Ann was a special lady that was always interested in us and our families. It was great to hear all about her younger days. A very talented lady that will have inspired many. She will be much missed.
And on a personal note there is nothing like loosing your Mum. You think she will be there forever. Let’s hope she is, behind the scenes.
Sending lots of love. And as cousins we will stay in touch.
Jo and Dai
Dear Lucy,Amanda and Charlie
Thank you for including me in those attending your `mother’s service of thanksgiving . I came with Rosemary Berrie and my connection is that your mother taught my son Alexander (now 50!) at OMH. Also we had friends in common but they died before Ann
It was a truly special service and Amanda, your Eulogy was wonderful . There was a lot I learned about your mother ,,She was a true intellectual but fun lively and when Rosemary and I visited her earlier ithis year she so wanted to hear about our families as we’ll as telling us about all of you
As Amanda said you had good material to work on for your Eulogy
We were sorry not to have more time to speak to you all but the fact that there were so many people is a testament to your mother
Kind Regards
Felicity Hedger