Nelda Bridgeman, 86, of Pandora and formerly of Hilliard, Ohio, died on June 2, 2020, at the Hilty Memorial Home in Pandora. She was born on Aug. 6, 1933, in Plymouth, England, to the late William Alfred and Winifred Louise Nelda (Beswetherick) Bridgeman.  On Oct. 31, 1959, she married Stanley Goddard and they were divorced.  

After graduating from British Secondary School (equivalent of American High School), she apprenticed and became a trained floral designer. Nelda served in the British Royal Air Force from 1953 – 1959 WRAF, where she achieved the rank of Sergeant. She owned and operated a rare book store and search service called Bookphil for over 45 years and had over 42,000 books when she retired at age 82.  Nelda became an American citizen on Dec. 13, 1988.  

She was a lifetime member since 1968 of the American Topical Association (stamp collecting). Nelda lived for 20 years in Upper Arlington, Ohio then 30 years in Hilliard  before moving to Pandora.  

Survivors include two daughters, Victoria S. Goddard Zeits (husband Clair O. Zeits) of Bluffton, Sarah L.N. Goddard (husband Anthony Polk) of Scottsdale, Arizona; a grandson, Roger W. Zeits of Bluffton; and two nieces.

Nelda was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Sutcliffe.

There will be no service or visitation.  

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.

Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton is honored to be providing services to Nelda’s family.