Wei Cheu Ridlon

Wei Cheu "Joyce" Ridlon was born November 5, 1939 in Tachia City, Taiwan, the first daughter of Wang Tsu-Nan and Wang Shiou-chu.  She had one older brother and eight younger brothers and sisters, four of which still reside in Taiwan.  She grew up during the Japanese rule of Taiwan in the subsequent years of WWII, which was followed by the turbulent takeover and rule of Taiwan by Chang Kai-Shek. 

She was taught to speak basic English at a religious mission in her hometown and was a self-taught hair stylist and seamstress.  She was also fluent in Mandarin, Japanese, the local Taiwanese dialect (and she would tell you she also spoke Spanish, Taco, Enchilada, Adios and then laugh her big laugh).

She met her future husband Rae Ridlon while he was stationed in Taiwan with the US Army in 1963.  After returning to the US in 1964, he re-enlisted to be stationed in Okinawa, Japan so she could join him there; they married in June 1965.  After he was discharged they returned to the United States, arriving in Los Alamos, NM in April of 1967, where they settled there and then moved to White Rock where they raised their children Allen, Danny and Cheryl. 

 In August 1970 she learned she could make money with her sewing skills and started her first career as an outstanding seamstress and tailor.  Not only did she design tailor and alter clothing for countless area residents, she also designed clothing for several First Ladies of New Mexico and helped with elaborate costumes for renowned ballet companies traveling through New Mexico.  She loved making clothes for her friends, herself and her daughter. 

In approximately 1985 she began her second and most loved career, teaching Kokondo Martial Arts to children. She earned her Third Degree black belt while becoming a Sensei for all ages.  She enjoyed traveling to martial arts seminars throughout the US, usually with her husband along to carry her equipment. She also loved to cook for neighbors, friends and family and was well known for her eggrolls; food was definitely her "love language"!  She enjoyed sewing and martial arts until Dementia began to take away her ability to do so in late 2017.  

She was a good and loving wife, mother and grandmother.  She is survived and greatly missed by her husband Rae, sons Allen and Danny, daughter Cheryl and her precious grandson Noah, niece Brigitte Wang of Blue Springs, MO and several other nieces and nephews and four siblings in Taiwan. She was preceded in death by her parents, five of her brothers and sisters, including Boondy Wang and Shu Yuan Downs, both of which have live in White Rock, NM. 

The family requests Wei Cheu’s friends to consider a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or sharing quality time over a meal with your loved ones.

It would be an honor to collect stories, pictures, and condolences here on Rivera's webpage.