Gay Claridge

Gay Hadden Claridge, age 87, of Erie, died on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at St. Mary’s Asbury Ridge.  She was born on February 17, 1931 in Long Island, NY, the daughter of the late Crowell and Elizabeth Murdock Hadden.

Gay graduated from Westover School and Bryn Mawr College.   She met her husband, John, in New York City and together they settled in Erie to raise their family.

Gay was an accomplished equestrian and spent her adult life training others the love of horseback riding and competition, especially her daughters and eventually her husband.   She was very active in many barns across Erie County, the Lost Hounds Pony Club, and the Erie Hunt and Saddle Club.  In addition to her love of horses, the barn cats worked their way into her heart and home as well.  She enjoyed her time in the Junior League of Erie as a young woman and the Carrie T Watson Garden Club.   The gardens around her home were a feature of one of the Garden Club’s Tour of Homes.  She was a former member the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, Erie Club and Kahkwa Club.    Gay was a go getter and you always knew exactly where you stood with her.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, John Claridge and a brother Peter Hadden.

She is survived by her three children: Geoffrey Claridge of Erie, Elizabeth Claridge of Tucson AZ, and Anne (Scott) Roberts of Hamilton, MA; and four grandchildren, Briton Claridge, Cody Kinney, and Eliza and Anna Roberts.  She is further survived by her sister-in-law, Dorothea (Daff) (Frederick) Murray of Erie.

Friends are invited to call on the family at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 W. 26^th St (at Powell Ave.) on Friday November 2nd from 11am until the time of the service at 12pm, with Deacon Anthony Alleruzzo officiating.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of NWPA, 2407 Zimmerly Rd, Erie, PA 16506.  Send condolences at www.BurtonFuneralHome.com