She is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Estelita Longuinhos Saldanha; her older sister Mrs. Julia Ridley Malinoska; younger brother Vivian Ridley; her children Ashley, Guy, and Clarissa; and grandchildren Kaitlynn and Adrian.
Louise was born June 13, 1930 to Arthur Ridley and Hilda Francis Doreen Lennard in Bath, England. Separation from her parents during the Battle of Britain (1940), when she and her sister were sent with thousands of other children to live safely in Yorkshire, gave her the fortitude to overcome physical frailties and limited opportunity.
Among her earliest talents was an eye for fashion and design. She was 20, modeling for the garment business in London, when she met Estelita, with whom she fell in love and moved to the United States.
Experience with child care and early childhood education prepared her for a life dedicated to raising three sons and one daughter. Inspired by a love of classical and operatic music, English literature and gardening, Louise was also a self-taught artist, who specialized in watercolor and pastel landscapes and still lifes. Family and friends recall her lovely smile, gentle manner, deep sensitivity, loyalty and compassion. She was very loving and dearly loved, and will be missed by all.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 28 at St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street in Brunswick, Maine. Memories and condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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