Help Support Loraine After the Sudden Loss of Her Husband, Dr. Michael Ridgeway

With heavy hearts, we share the sudden and tragic loss of Loraine’s husband, Dr. Michael Ridgeway — a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, respected chiropractor, and faithful servant of God.

Dr. Ridgeway suffered a massive stroke that initially gave his family hope for recovery. In the immediate aftermath — and even following surgery — doctors remained hopeful. Although Michael was nonverbal and experiencing right-side deficits, the medical team believed he would survive, and the family was preparing for a long road of recovery.

Within minutes, however, they were blindsided by a sudden and devastating turn for the worse. Michael suffered catastrophic brain bleeding, changing everything in an instant and ultimately taking his life.

Loraine and Michael were true partners — two peas in a pod. They did everything together. They shared a deep love for fishing, the ocean, and being on and by the water, and most importantly, their Catholic faith, regularly attending Mass and growing spiritually side by side.

Michael was truly salt of the earth — steady, capable, and full of grit. He was a winemaker with a deep passion for farming and viticulture, and he loved working with the land. Together, he and Loraine enjoyed growing and preserving their own food, making olive oil, and cooking side by side. He was the kind of man who could do just about anything — a real man’s man — dependable, hardworking, and humble.

He had a deep love for animals and especially cherished their four dogs, who were truly part of their family. Music was another joy they shared. Michael played the piano and guitar, and he and Loraine loved attending concerts whenever their schedules allowed — especially classical Spanish guitar and Hawaiian slack-key guitar — savoring those moments together.

At the time of his passing, they were in the middle of enormous life transitions. They were moving out of their home in Petaluma into a temporary rental, transitioning Michael’s chiropractic practice into his long-awaited dream space, and had just purchased their dream property in Idaho — a place filled with cherished memories and the foundation of a plan to grow old together.

All of that came to a sudden halt.

Michael was the provider and the one keeping countless plates spinning — finances, logistics, and planning. Now, Loraine is left grieving while simultaneously having to pick up every piece on her own. Expenses are high, demands are immediate, and nothing has paused to allow space for mourning.

In these early days, Loraine has been navigating movers for both their home and the chiropractic office, urgent deadlines, unanswered questions, and the overwhelming uncertainty of what comes next. She has been unable to work, has barely slept, and is carrying more than any one person should while processing the shock of losing her husband.

While many have lovingly offered meals and hands-on help, right now that level of activity would only add to the overwhelm. What Loraine needs most in this season is breathing room — relief from basic financial pressure so she can grieve, stabilize, and begin to understand the complex realities ahead.

This GoFundMe is being set up to help cover:

Any contribution, no matter the amount, will help ease Loraine’s immediate stress and provide tangible support during an unimaginably difficult time. If you are unable to give financially, prayers and sharing this page are deeply appreciated.

Dr. Michael Ridgeway is survived by his loving wife, Loraine; his children, Vanessa and Shane; his beloved grandson, Grayson; his brothers, Matt and Mark; and a large extended family, friends, patients, and loved ones who will forever miss him.

Thank you for surrounding Loraine with love, compassion, and support during this incredibly difficult time.