Fay Fleishel Pridgeon

She is preceded in death by her husband, E.T. “Tommy” Pridgeon, Jr., daughter, Phyllis Pridgeon Kennedy, son, E.T. “Tim” Pridgeon, III, granddaughter, Meredith Pridgeon Higgins, and sister-in-law, Nancy Pridgeon Shuford. Fay is survived by her son, Michael Pridgeon (Suzie), granddaughters, Jessica Kennedy Alsandor (Jude), Alison Pridgeon Frazier (Jason), and Ashley Grayson Pridgeon, great-granddaughter Matilda Mae Frazier, as well as son-in-law, Bobby Kennedy and cousin, Kathleen Parrish.

Fay grew up an only child in Shamrock, Florida. In 1950 Fay moved with her family to Port St. Joe, Florida, where she made lifelong friends and was voted prettiest girl of the 1955 senior class of Port St. Joe High School. The following year, Fay married the love of her life, Tommy Pridgeon.

Soon, they had a daughter, Phyllis, and three years later, son Tim. They then moved to Tallahassee, which would become their life-long home. Fay and Tommy were blessed with their son Michael (a bit of a surprise, but a good one) in 1972. When her children were growing up, Fay and Tommy enjoyed time spent at the family home in Mexico Beach. There was always a full house, and close friends knew the joy of spending time with them at the “beach house.”

After Tommy’s death in 1975, Fay took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and went back to college. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Social Work in 1980 and went to work for Elder Care Services. She became a cherished member of the Elder Care staff until her retirement in 2001, though she continued to deliver Meals on Wheels and provide companion care for many years after she “retired.”

In later years, Fay enjoyed spending summers in the Adirondacks with family in the home built by her father and grandfather on Third Lake. Her childhood friend, Jo Helen Weise was always with her, along with many other, lucky friends.

Fay was a devoted mother and wife, and her circle of friends was large. She had a deep and abiding faith and was a charter member of Killearn United Methodist Church. She was truly one of the kindest, most generous people to grace this earth, and she will be loved and remembered by all of those fortunate enough to have known her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Killearn United Methodist Church on April 18, at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Elder Care Services of Tallahassee or Killearn United Methodist Church Bereavement Fund.