BOXFORD - Mrs. Betty E. "Liz" (Marquardt) Ridpath, 94, longtime resident of Boxford, wife of the late Robert Ridpath, passed away Monday, March 27, 2017 at Putnam Farm Assisted Living in Danvers.

Born October 19, 1922 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late William A. And Mae M. (Simmers) Marquardt. Raised and educated in Fort Wayne, she was a graduate of South Side High School and received her Bachelor's degree at Vogue School of Design in Chicago.

Mrs. Ridpath's working career spanned a remarkable range from modeling to public relations for Julius Garfinkle & Co. in Washington, D.C. She was a columnist for several small city newspapers, and ultimately retired as the manager at Greeff Fabrics, Inc. Boston showroom. Liz had a tremendous sense of creativity which she expressed with excellence in many venues over the decades.

A loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Liz's caring and giving nature was reflected in the charities with which she was involved. She invested time and energy in the League of Women Voters, the Girl Scouts, was a strong presence in the WGBH Channel 2 fund-raising auctions, at the Essex Count Greenbelt, and served on the Altar Guild at Trinity Episcopal Church of Topsfield, where she was a longtime member. Of all her many activities which touched the community, her very favorite was the Box Top Thrift Shop of Topsfield. Her influence extended beyond family and friends through her community participation, and she will be deeply missed.

Liz is survived by her sons, Jonathan Ridpath and his wife Judy of CA and Bob Ridpath of NY, her grandchildren, Rob Ridpath-Rinato of FL and Jonathan Ridpath of NY, and her four great-grandchildren.

ARRANGEMENTS: A Memorial Service will be held at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 124 River Road, Topsfield on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial in Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Liz's memory to the Box Top Shop, 7 School Street, Topsfield, or to the Trinity Episcopal Church at the above-noted address. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (rt. 62) Danvers. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit, www.odonnellfuneralservice.com