Ima Rose Vidger, 78, passed away on April 28, 2009 in Corona, CA, surrounded by her family and those who loved her. Rose was born on March 28, 1931 in Colgate, OK to Roy and Vera Maddox. Her family later moved to Denver, CO, where she met Clifford Vidger, the love of her life, on a blind date. Cliff was a jazz trumpet player who had his own dance band in Denver but they were forbidden to date because of his age and his musical aspirations. But true love won out and Rose and Cliff eloped to Raton, NM, and were married on August 20, 1949. Shortly after they married, Cliff got a music scholarship to Denver University and Rose worked at the local Ford Company to help put him through college. Rose always laughed that she got "her" college degree researching and typing his papers. They both eventually graduated "summa cum laude". Those years proved to be invaluable later in life when Rose pursued her own career at McDonnell Douglas. After Cliff graduated in 1955, they moved to McDonald KS where he taught music at the local high school. There Rose enjoyed raising her two small children Monica (aka Mitzie) and Steve, playing cards with the neighbors, mothering a marching band, and raising their first boxer Punjab. But Cliff's dream was to move to California to write music for the movies so, in 1959, they packed up the family and headed West. Cliff had visited Santa Barbara during WWII and wanted to live in that beautiful city. The closest teaching job he could find was in Lompoc as the Coordinator of Music and high school band director. So Rose and Cliff bought a little house in the Lompoc Valley where they raised their family and lived until Cliff passed away in 1976. While in Lompoc Rose took a job with McDonnell Douglas as a PBX operator. But her talents were soon noticed and she proceeded to work her way up the company, finally moving into the personnel field where she excelled in labor negotiations, benefits, and personnel management. But the majority of her time was spent with Cliff and her children. After Cliff's death, McDonnell Douglas transferred her to their Huntington Beach facility. She was later transferred to the Long Beach plant where she worked until her retirement in 1996. After she retired, Rose traveled with friends and family to historical places and spent time taking care of her grandchildren in Santa Barbara and Corona. Rose always had a special place in her heart for her pets and always had one of her beloved boxers, pugs, or Holly at her side.

She is survived by her daughter, Monica (Mitzie) Vidger-Trent of Santa Barbara; son, Stephen (Christina) Vidger of Corona, CA; grandchildren Stefanie, Adam and Andrew Trent of Santa Barbara; Lauren and Shane Vidger of Corona, CA and many family and friends in Colorado. A special thank you to all the staff at Emeritus Assisted Living Facility in Corona for the excellent care and love they had for Rose during her stay there. She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Gene Maddox and her beloved husband, Clifford Vidger.

Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery with Rev. Michael Cunningham of St. Mary's Episcopal Church officiating.