Beatrice Ridgway Carson

Carson—Beatrice Ridgway Carson, 95, of Oakford, Pa., on May 16, 2016. Bea was born on September 5, 1920, in Bucks County, Pa., to Alice Hallowell and William Ridgway. She married Ralph E. Carson in 1944. A birthright Quaker, she transferred her membership from Abington (Pa.) Meeting to Middletown Meeting in Langhorne, Pa., in 1953.

She taught First-day school when her children were young and was convener and treasurer of the Women’s Group, organizer of the card parties that raised money for the meeting’s charities, and convener of the Worship and Ministry Committee, Nominating Committee, and the Overseers, organizing the annual auction of goods and services. She stepped down as convener of Worship and Ministry when Overseers and Worship and Ministry combined in 2009, but continued to serve on the committee until her move to Hamburg, Pa.

Her wisdom, knowledge of Quaker practices, and historical memory were invaluable to the committee’s work. Friends remember this beloved Friend’s quiet presence in meeting for worship, the bouquets of flowers from her garden, and her love of golf.

Bea was preceded in death by her husband and her two sons, and she was strong in dealing with these losses. She is survived by her daughter, Judith Carson Schreiber (Richard); two daughters-in-law, Linda Carson and Paula Carson; five grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

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