Submitted by: Dan Rich

Molly Elizabeth Ridenour

April 8, 1997 - May 30, 2007

South Bend Tribune 6/2/2007

SOUTH BEND - Molly Elizabeth Ridenour, 10, of Parkview Place, South Bend, died Wednesday, May 30, in Memorial Hospital from injuries suffered in a fire at her home. Molly was born on April 8, 1997, in South Bend, and is survived by her parents, Rebecca and Kevin Ridenour, and her little brother and sister, Adam "A.J." and Sophie. A very outgoing, well-liked fourth-grader at Holy Cross Catholic School, Molly was very active with the softball program at Chet Waggoner Little League where she played with her best friend Andrea Priebe. She was always ready to have fun with and help out with the many other kids residing in her neighborhood. She anxiously looked forward to her trips to Chicago and the American Girl store, visiting the bargain racks at local stores and lunch with her 'busia,' along with working on craft projects with her mom and grandma Sue. Molly spent many weekends at her grandparent's cottage on Gravel Lake, where she was always the first to jump into the lake to earn a dollar.

Along with her parents, brother and sister, Molly is also survived by her great-grandmother, Elma Horvath; her maternal grandparents, Sue and Jim Mazurkiewicz; and her paternal grandparents, Sandy and Carl Ridenour; and her godparents, Diana and Michael Ashmore. She'll also be missed by many close relatives including her aunts and uncles, Alison and Todd Mazurkiewicz, Wenpei and Carl Ridenour, Michael and Rosa Ridenour, and Kim (Ridenour) Skees; great aunts and uncles, Roberta and Robert Horvath, Barbara and Philip Horvath, Jan and Dennis Horvath, Nancy and Charles Horvath, Martin Horvath, Joanna and Leonard Starczewski, Rita and Bill Rigney, Diana and Scott Shuey, Patti and Larry Vavul, Susan and John Mazurkiewicz, David and Millie Hack; and a long list of cousins, including Andrew Mazurkiewicz, Charlie and Max Ridenour, Guillermo and Daniella Ridenour, Rob, Jason, Jeff and Jillian Horvath, Sheila Cousino, Sheryl, Scott and Steven Horvath, April Grossman, Diana Ashmore, Sarah and Michael Horvath, Matthew and Stephen Horvath, Ethan and Levi Horvath, Sara and Emily Hack, Abbie Luczynski, Katie Ivory, Carly Shuey, Peter, Andy and Ally Vavul, and Lucas and Caroline Mazurkiewicz.

The family wishes to acknowledge the South Bend Fire Department for their efforts in this tragedy. Dealing with a situation such as this is one of the hardest parts of their job. Becky and Kevin also want to extend a huge thank you to board members, coaches, parents and players at Chet Waggoner Little League for their assistance and exceptional generosity. Special thanks also go out to Father Mike, the staff, teachers and students at Holy Cross, along with the staff, teachers and students at St. John the Baptist Catholic School for all their thoughts and prayers. They would also like to thank General Sheet Metal Works, Kevin's employer, for their assistance and support.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 4, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1020 Wilber Street in South Bend, with Father Brad Metz C.S.C. and Father Mike Mathews, C.S.C. officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family and remember Molly from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 3, in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive in South Bend, where a Parish Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. A special trust fund account at 1st Source Bank in Molly's name has already been established by close friends to help out Becky and Kevin, A.J. and Sophie as they deal with not only the death of Molly, but also the damage to their home and belongings from the fire. Contributions can be made at any 1st Source location.