Emma L. Washington, 78, active in Catholic church – Coastal Observer
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Emma L. Washington, 78, active in Catholic church

April 23, 2020

Emma Louise Washington of Murrells Inlet died April 15 at the Medical University of South Carolina. She was 78.

She was born Sept. 8, 1941, in Norfolk, Va., the third of five children of Amie Lee and Fred Peterson. She received her early education at St. Joseph’s Catholic School.  She was among the first students to integrate and graduate from Norfolk Catholic High School in 1959.  

In 1960, she married the late Rudolph Ridley and they moved from Virginia to Brooklyn, N.Y., via Washington, D.C. They later moved to Queens, N.Y.  

After Mr. Ridley’s death, she attended the New School for Social Research and took certificate courses in business and social studies at York College.  

She was a very active member of St. Clement Pope Catholic Church.  She was vice president of the Rosary Society, lector and Eucharist minister. She trained future lectors and prepared schedules for lectors and Eucharist ministers and chaired many social events.  

She married Leonard J. Washington at the St. Clement Pope on Sept. 1, 1991.  They lived in Queens until 2006 when they relocated to Murrells Inlet and became members of Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church.  

Mrs. Washington was a lector, a Eucharist minister, spiritual facilitator for the Women’s Club, and chaired the communion breakfast and Day of Reflection. Due to health issues these activities ceased and she became a sustaining member. She volunteered at Father Pat’s Kitchen and stuffed church bulletins. 

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a brother, James Peterson (Kathy); nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Due to the COVID-19 virus funeral services will be private.

There is a guest book at goldfinchfuneralhome.com.

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