Marie Riddell was called home to be with Jesus Christ in Plano, TX on September 1, 2025. Born in Iron Mountain, Michigan, December 3, 1939, to James Ochetti and Louise Tondini-Ochetti, after high school, she went on to college at the University of Michigan, studying to become a Registered Nurse. It was there that she met her future husband, George Riddell, during their days as members of the marching band playing saxophone. After graduating, the two married on June 21, 1961, in Ann Arbor, MI, her with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and him, with a BA in Music Education. George took his first job as a band director for the Levelland school system and so their life in Texas began. Her original job was as a school nurse in the Hockley County School District before they started their family. She was a Registered Nurse and a Nursing Instructor for many decades- These jobs were two of the joys of her life, even though she had to juggle those jobs while we were all still children. She had a keen sense of service through these skills of healing and of teaching.
She would also go on to become a floor nurse at different hospitals, and later, a nursing instructor, which was a job she adored. In 1962, she and George welcomed the first of their three children and later moved to various cities in the South Plains of West Texas, a place they felt at home in and grew to love throughout their 55-year marriage. They finally circled back to Levelland, retiring eventually to the place where they began their adventure as partners, parents, and most of all, best friendsthe loves of each other’s lives. She spent her final years in the Dallas/Plano area, near two of her children, Jacqueline and Mark. She was a lifetime Catholic parishioner and a longtime member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Levelland, TX.
Marie brought her sense of service to others through her skills as a healer and a teacher wherever she lived.
Often, she volunteered in the communities where we lived for organizations such as the Red Cross, as a chaperone at her children’s schools, at her church as a youth group bible teacher, or in offering to help foreign exchange students assimilate to life in America. She valued her role in passing on her knowledge and expertise as a nurse through teaching and was respected in each of these roles. At the same time, she also juggled these things along with raising three kids, keeping house, and through all the traditional tasks mothers around the world tackle. Whether she was cooking, cleaning, sewing, playing piano, or offering guidance or discipline, she did it with her usual mischievous wry wit and a knowing smile (most of the time) that you would come to understand that she was, well- right. She was keenly aware of the blessings in her life, as well as the challenges, and tried to instill those values of gratitude and appreciation in her kids. She expected us to work hard toward our goals and yet was flexible enough to allow us to falter (without judging too much)-always there with a kind word and encouragement even if things didn’t quite work out the way we thought they should. Her time with her friends was always special to her. Whether they gathered for laughter, tears, to seek practical wisdom or bolster strength and faith, her friends meant the world to her, and she loved bringing people together as if we were all one big family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Louise (1949), James (1961) and later, her husband, George (2016).
She is survived by: her brother, Jim Ochetti and his family-wife Sheri, son Jon and daughter Kelly; her three children and their families- Cyndi Clark, husband David, and son Charlie, Mark Riddell, his son Brice Riddell, Stepson-Cody Clark, his wife Shelley, and daughters, Justice and Liberty, and Jacqueline Riddell- Mason and her husband Ross. In her later years, she required assisted living and had two people who were instrumental in helping with her care: Kim Baldrige (Nguyen) and Terisa Foulkes, whose attention and care of our mother was outstanding. They treated her as if she had been their own mothers and we are forever grateful for this kindness from these “sisters in spirit” as we know she would consider them. She also leaves behind many othersfriends, extended family, former students, and others. She lived her life as an inspiration to her children for her devotion to our Dad and family, love of the musical, theatrical, and visual arts, her very subtle sense of humor, kindness, fun, and many other things that are hard to capture in words about an almost 86-year life. She lived a good life and will be missed.
A Rosary was held at 6PM Monday, September 8, 2025 at Head Duarte Funeral Home in Levelland. Interment followed at the Cityof Levelland Cemetery.
Under the direction and care of Head Duarte Funeral Home.