[Aztlan] Hello Maya enthusiasts - sad Jay jade news

[James Reed]

Hello, once again,

Thought I'd let you all know that this morning, Jay Ridinger, co-owner of Jades,
SA (the jade factory and museum in Antigua, Guatemala), successfully
made the great transition. Together he and his wife Mary Lou discovered the where-abouts of the ancient Maya jade quarries. He was battling illness over the past years.
He was a wonderful man,
a real adventurer gentleman.

The
last time I saw him was on a trip there in 2007, and I so cherish the bone and jade
necklace they gave me then (a replica of a beautiful shell and jade piece from a tomb in Copan discovered by David Sedat). I have even stayed at their personal home
(colonial mansion) a couple different times, and I know their son Jake.
It is good that Jake is there with Mary Lou now. Unique for mine among
the 4 total original necklaces created, is that it is jade from the mine that
Jake discovered that Jay had adorn my necklace. Jay was always so
caring and thoughtful.

Below are two emails from his two sister-in-laws (sisters of Mary Lou Ridinger).

Jim Reed

___

Dear Friends,
  
The following is from my sister Christina.  As I was just about to
write a similar letter to family, friends, and acquaintances, I am
forwarding this on instead.  Christina has expressed what I would have
said, and she has done so eloquently.
   I will only add that I
honor this man.  This Don Jay who was his own unique self, a quirky
character who fashioned a kingdom out of a quirk of fate, his vision,
and his tenacity. 
  
An adventurer who entrusted others to do the venturing, he was the
husband behind the throne who guided the quest with his jade crystal
ball.
  
Hey, Jay, you were right more often than not, and you were a steadfast
and steady presence in the lives of many. You have left behind a
heritage for your family and for a country. You did great job.
  For you in Guatemala, I am with you in sadness for the loss of Don Jay.
Love, Georgie



Dear Friends,
I
am writing to those of you who knew my brother-in-law, Jay Ridinger. He
had been ill for several years, and was victorious, for many years, in
living a very full life in spite of his illness. Recently, he had been
suddenly weaker.

Mary
Lou called this morning, and let me know that Jay had died early this
morning. His passing was very peaceful. Their son, Jake recently
arrived for his birthday celebration, was in Guatemala, Jake and Jay got to spend many hours together before Jay made his transition.

There will be an all night vigil tonight, and cremation will take place tomorrow.


As
several people said today, regarding Jay's passing, "This is the end of
an era." The great character of Jay Ridinger is rivaled in fictitious
stories of the grand intellectuals and adventurers. They created a life
of so much curiosity and philosophical vigor, that we only wished that they had really existed... but  Jay lived an actual life, in what he often called the illusory world.

God bless him. And God love the incomparable Mary Lou for how she cared for this great man. 

Best wishes to all of you,
Christina/Kiki