Meri Dell “M.D.” Ridge
1938 - 2017
M.D. Ridge was a composer of liturgical music and a pastoral musician who helped parishes make the most of limited resources. Born in 1938 in New York City, she was the eldest child of Del and Meri Bell Sharbutt. She graduated cum laude from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, which, in 2009 gave her its Ignatian Award for professional achievement.
For more than 45 years, M.D. wrote strong, singable and scripturally based liturgical music. She was a pastoral musician for parishes in the dioceses of Arlington, San Diego and Richmond, as well as the Military Archdiocese. In her retirement from active parish ministry, she served as the liturgy and music resource for her small faith community.
She published numerous choral octavos and 4 collections of music including A Light in Darkness (OCP), Awake, O Sleeper (GIA) By Cross and Water Signed (OCP) and In Every Age (OCP). Her compositions and texts appear in many hymnals and compilations in the United States, Britain and Canada. Her commissioned works include music and texts written for communities in Virginia, Michigan, Minnesota, West Virginia, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, and New York.
In addition to writing liturgical music, M.D. was a longtime journalist, editor and author, whose articles have appeared in liturgical and secular publications in the United States, Canada and England. She wrote for Music News, Pastoral Music magazine and Today's Liturgy, and wrote, edited, and contributed to many books and articles. Her commentary on life, liturgy and music appeared on the website of the Center for Liturgy at St. Louis University. She also wrote features and reviews for numerous secular publications in Southeastern Virginia, and reviewed music and the arts for public radio station WHRO in Norfolk, Virginia.
M.D. Ridge died June 5, 2017, at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, VA, from complications of metastatic liver cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones.