Obituary of Margaret Ridgely Bergenstjerna

Margaret Ridgely Bergenstjerna, age 86, died on July 19, 2010 at her home in Sewell, NJ. Mrs. Bergenstjerna was born in Oil City, PA, a daughter of Pennsylvania Railroad executive John T. Ridgely and his wife Edythe (nee Webber). She was the direct descendant of Charles Carnan Ridgely of Hampton, governor of Maryland 1816-1819. On her mother's side she was the great, great granddaughter of Samuel Webber, president of Harvard University, 1806-1810. Her early years were spent in Indianapolis, IN. The family moved to Columbus, OH, and she attended Bexley High School, and Ohio Wesleyan University. She served as Director of Administrative Services at Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania, and retired as Administrative Director of the Leadership Development Program at Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL. From childhood, Mrs. Bergenstjerna," Peg", had a passion for reading which eventually translated into a scholarly level of history, particularly American, French, and Swedish. Soon her reading expanded into writing, and her letters and autographs bear witness of an uncommon talent. Later, her interest became focused on genealogy, and at the age of eighty, she started her last project. In 2004, her book ".And she Smiled, Because She Knew." was published, and to the regrets of many, her only book. June 22 was a very special day in the lives of Margaret Bergentstjerna and her husband Axel. She was born on that day in 1924, Axel saved his life by bailing out of his malfunctioning fighter plane on June 22, 1948, and they met in Lock Haven on June 22, 1975. On June 22, 2003, she received a letter from Heritage Books, Inc. stating that they would publish her book. She is survived by her husband, Axel G. Bergenstjerna of Sewell, daughter Louse Ridgely Reardon of Berlin, MD, son Robert G. Reardon of Bellefonte, PA, and daughter Elizabeth Ridgely Kiviat of Pitman, NJ, their spouses, and grandchild Katherine Louise Ridgely Sheffy of Pitman, NJ. Also survived by three dear step-children in Sweden; Axel G. Bergenstjerna, Louise Ekesioo, and Elisabeth Peterson Bergenstjerna, their spouses and children. .."When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled, because you knew".. Services will be private. Arrangements by the KELLEY FUNERAL HOME, Pitman, NJ. Memorials may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.