Ever the Lady!

Marguerite Rider Smith
May 5th, 2009 ·
Marguerite Rider Smith, 91, of Medina, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2009 at Medina Village Retirement Community. Marguerite was born August 28, 1917, in Cleveland, to Edmund and Louise Rider. She was raised in Hinckley, and moved to Medina in 1952.

Marguerite volunteered as a Nurse’s Aid for 22 years at the old Medina Community Hospital. She was a member of the Medina County Red Cross and served as “Gray Lady” for 10 years. She served on the rehabilitation board of Parma Hospital.

Marguerite was an active supporter of Medina County 4-H, since 1929 when she became a member. She received a F.F.A. pin for O.C. Duke in 1963 for her interest shown in the Future Farmers of America.

A life member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation of North America; and active supporter for the Morris Animal Foundations of Colorado and the “Black-Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary” of South Dakota. Marguerite and her late husband, Richard owned the Broken Paddle Stables after selling their herd of 310 Jersey cattle in 1974.

She was a riding instructor (Equestrian) and a mentor for the “Career Shadowing and Community Service” project of Medina High School. Marguerite donated her horse arena, horses and two years of teaching for classes of Equestrian until the horse barn was built for the Medina County Career Center. She volunteered riding classes for Handicapped children.

Marguerite was sworn into the Mounted Unit of the Medina County Sheriff Dept. as Deputy in 1984 and served under Sheriff John Ribar and Sheriff Neil Hassinger. She was recently promoted to sergeant. Marguerite took great pride in patrolling the Medina County Fairs for 25 years on her faithful police horse, “Blue”. She served the “Mounted Police” competitions held in Kentucky Horse Park representing our Medina County of Ohio.

At Marguerite’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or funeral service. However, there will be a celebration of life service at Zion Lutheran Church, 2233 Abbeyville Rd., Valley City, on June 14, 2009 at a time to be announced.

p.s. I admired this woman so much. She was an inspiration and the model used in the dictionery

for the words "hard work". I shall miss you!