Mom and Robot Sumo Wrestling at OCA

 

How many kids can write that title about their parents? This is one of the things I simply adore about Mom: her eclectic interests and experiences. Here's robot sumo wrestling as she saw it.

 

  

Friends Rememberances of Mom

Inta and I go a long way back ....we had the same summer job in the Air Force Reserve...supposedly we were being trained to be fighter control operators which was a bit of a joke but we enjoyed good times playing volleyball, doing drill marches ..... it sure was a lark and the pay was good ...I think it was $40 a week but that would be about 1958. Then in University, we met up several times since we were both dating engineers...ended up marrying the guys....Jiim and my husband, Bob were classmates and good friends....Jim and Inta visited us in England in 1969 or 70 and treated us to theatre in London and a few good meals.... Inta was the perpetual student when we knew her and it sounds as though she always pursued new interests...we were so sorry to hear of her illness and are sympathetic to her children's loss and encouraging them to hold on to those precious memories. Take care, Pat

• Pat Richardson, Friend, Burlington

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I knew Inta through my sister Bernice Warren. I always enjoyed her warmth and creativity.

• Patricia Creary, Midland, ON

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I

 Mom and Margaret M.

Bernice's Story of Mom

Mom and Bernice 

I met Inta when we were in our twenties around 1961 when we both worked at Shell Oil. We shared many memorable times throughout the years. She taught me now to play bridge and chess.

 In October 2004, I moved from Scarborough to North Vancouver to be with my son Trevor and Grandson Noah. On moving day, Inta, Marion and Margaret arrived to help send me off and get me to the airport on time along with my two cats amid much kayos and hilarity. Inta took many pictures of the events of that day and then put them onto a CD which she mailed to me later. What a priceless treasure she gave to me to be able to revisit those wonderful times.

I am saddened at Inta's passing but know that wherever she lands she will be very creatively running the show.

Bernice Warren

 Mom, Bernice and Margaret G. 

seeing Bernice off to Vancouver

Mom's Eulogy

Inta Ridler January 30, 1939 - June 28, 2013 

written by Jason Ridler 

Inta Mezgailis Ridler, age seventy-four, died at approximately nine pm on 28 June 2013 in her Toronto home, surrounded by her children. Daughter of Olga Katerina Dailacis and Janis Arturs Mezgailis (m.1937), Inta was born in Jelgava, Latvia, on 30 January 1939, followed by her sister Laima (Sellmer). After surviving the Second World War, Olga and her two daughters lived in a displaced persons camp in Germany before voyaging to Canada in 1948. Initially raised in Windsor, Inta and her family moved to Toronto in the early 1950s, where she attended Jarvis Collegiate. She later received her Bachelors degree and her Masters in Psychology at the University of Toronto. Married to Jim Ridler in 1963 (-1984), she was the beloved mother of Jamie, Robbie (d.1973), Suzie, Jason and Shannon.

She began a life journey into the arts in the late 1980s, graduating from the Ontario College of Art and Design in late 1990s. She became an integral member of the Kensington Market art and music scene, making friends in many circles, from punk rock guitarists to shamanic drummers. She was also the co-founder, photographer, creative director, and layout artist of The Spirit of Kensington magazine and in 1999 was their featured artist. She was a long time member of the Toronto Camera Club and was an instrumental member of their photography magazine Focus.

Inta was a perpetual student of philosophy, science, and the spiritual arts, as well as a beautiful voice in many choirs that sang from downtown Toronto to her land of birth, Latvia. A career explorer and enjoyer of knowledge, ideas and music, a lover of food and chats and joy, she is survived by her sister and children, and leaves behind a legacy of art, inspiration and unconditional love to all who knew her.

Olivia Chow in Mom's Hood

There's always something happening in the Kensington Market neighbourhood and Mom always seemed to be there with a camera! I'm not sure what this event is but I know it features Olivia Chow, one politician that I know Mom had respect for.

Mom, Music & Kensington Market

Mom loved music and photography and clearly there were lots of opportunities combine these loves in her Kensington Market neighbourhood.

In fact, just a few days after her passing I found great comfort in roaming the neighbourhood with my own camera, feeling just like Mom as I captured moments like this...

Mom the Photographer

I saw this photo the last day I was in Mom's apartment. It just caught me. It is so Mom. It is a smart, clever and creative a self-portrait. I love that she is reading a book on photography. That she is not looking into the lens. That she has a wild growing ivy behind her, complete with that piece of wood she kept forever. I just love this photo of Mom.