Welcome to the memorial page for
Mary B. Riggs
February 15, 1945 ~ February 1, 2018 (age 72) 72 Years Old Light a Candle
Leave a Condolence
Message from Anita Rossell
November 15, 2018 6:18 PM
Mary was my mentor as I am sure she was for countless young educators trying to understand the system and trying to connect with their students. She always had an encouraging word and just refused to give up on anyone. Even when she was going through her cancer ordeal back in 1997 she was there to encourage me personally.
I moved away to the South Bay several years ago yet was fortunate enough to see her on a couple of occasions. Our conversations took twists and turns and we would lose track of time. Theres was always laughter, even at the most unexpected moments. I could pour out my heart to Mary or ask her for advise. She was so kind, honest and truly patient. She was wise and sometimes silly and had the sweetest smile and the softest eyes. Mary had a gift for teaching and connecting with students at a profound level. As a young teacher, I was awed by her authenticity, her intellect and her seemingly endless patience. Her family meant everything to her. She took so much pride and care in speaking about each and everyone of them. One could get a real sense of who they were and how much she loved them.
She was an amazing storyteller, who could captivate you in such a way that you literally lost any sense of time. I could listen to her for hours on end. After spending an hour with Mary, I felt spiritually and emotionally lifted.
I remember the anecdotal cartoons she used in her high school classroom to entice students to become a part of her teaching experience. Although the years went by, I often thought about my friend. She made me fall in love with teaching and encouraged me to do my best. I feel so fortunate and blessed to have known her.
RIP Mary and may God continue to comfort your beautiful family.
I moved away to the South Bay several years ago yet was fortunate enough to see her on a couple of occasions. Our conversations took twists and turns and we would lose track of time. Theres was always laughter, even at the most unexpected moments. I could pour out my heart to Mary or ask her for advise. She was so kind, honest and truly patient. She was wise and sometimes silly and had the sweetest smile and the softest eyes. Mary had a gift for teaching and connecting with students at a profound level. As a young teacher, I was awed by her authenticity, her intellect and her seemingly endless patience. Her family meant everything to her. She took so much pride and care in speaking about each and everyone of them. One could get a real sense of who they were and how much she loved them.
She was an amazing storyteller, who could captivate you in such a way that you literally lost any sense of time. I could listen to her for hours on end. After spending an hour with Mary, I felt spiritually and emotionally lifted.
I remember the anecdotal cartoons she used in her high school classroom to entice students to become a part of her teaching experience. Although the years went by, I often thought about my friend. She made me fall in love with teaching and encouraged me to do my best. I feel so fortunate and blessed to have known her.
RIP Mary and may God continue to comfort your beautiful family.
A candle was lit by Anita Rossell
on November 15, 2018 5:41 PM
Message from Marilyn Zick
March 3, 2018 2:54 PM
i met mary 35 years ago at adult school. we were both teaching ESL at the time. mary was so knowledgable and fun...she was the go-to person if you had a question. i'm so glad that i was able to have lunch with her a couple of months ago...she was frail, but still as witty and sharp as ever!
larry, i'm so happy to know that you feel mary's presence still. bryan and i offer our condolences to you and your family... i know that you will all be a comfort for each other.
larry, i'm so happy to know that you feel mary's presence still. bryan and i offer our condolences to you and your family... i know that you will all be a comfort for each other.
A candle was lit by Joan and Bill Gunning
on February 9, 2018 5:33 PM
Message from Larry & Kathleen Turner
February 8, 2018 12:42 PM
Larry, Cathy, Jenny, Brian and David. We extend our condolences to all of you. Mary had a quick smile and a very gracious manner to her friends and neighbors. We will offer our St. Maximilian community prayers for Mary this weekend at mass.
Message from The Beaman Family
February 6, 2018 7:59 PM
Dear Larry,
A part of our neighborhood heart is gone and we are so terribly sad. We pray for your comfort and strength. We are thinking of your children and their families. What a beautiful wife, mother, and grandmother you all were privileged to have. Mary will always be thought of with love and affection by us.
A part of our neighborhood heart is gone and we are so terribly sad. We pray for your comfort and strength. We are thinking of your children and their families. What a beautiful wife, mother, and grandmother you all were privileged to have. Mary will always be thought of with love and affection by us.
A candle was lit by Deborah, Gabe, Brandon & Rachel Baldazzi
on February 6, 2018 12:40 PM
Message from jcmcj1979@gmail.com
February 6, 2018 10:07 AM
Mary was such an amazing woman who will be missed by all who were blessed to know her. Our deepest condolences to Larry and all the family.
A candle was lit by John and Chris Murray.
on February 6, 2018 10:05 AM
A candle was lit by Jim and Jaye Hogan
on February 5, 2018 8:54 PM
Message from Jim and Jaye Hogan
February 5, 2018 8:54 PM
Mary touched many lives as attested by her tributes, especially her career as a teacher. Her picture and that warm smile say it all. Our deepest condolences to Larry and family.
Message from Bo Freeman
February 5, 2018 7:38 PM
My deepest condolences to all of you. I started out as friends with Cathy. I remember when I met Mary. Such a light. Such a heart. The Riggs family all carry that beautiful light. I remember visiting the neighbors while I was at the house with the family. I had recently had a bad car accident and was not feeling well. Mary saw me from sitting across the room and sent me to her healing room to rest. Such a lovely soul. I am sending all of you hugs, prayers and love.
Message from Pamela Whittenbury
February 5, 2018 12:42 PM
Mary - we will miss you so - but feel you smiling down on us right now. Love and light to my favorite angel!
A candle was lit by Pamela Whittenbury
on February 5, 2018 12:41 PM
Message from My sincere sympathies. Mary was an angel here on earth.
February 5, 2018 12:39 PM
My sincere sympathies. Mary was an angel here on earth. She made the best 7 bean salad for our JPL get together's and her Christmas letters were a work of art and love. She was very kind and generous to me when I visited in the UK!
A candle was lit by Pamela Whittenbury
on February 5, 2018 12:36 PM
Message from Kate and David Murray
February 5, 2018 10:10 AM
Mary was one of the loveliest and kindest people David and I have known. Although it has been many years, we enjoyed the times we spent together, felt lucky to know Mary and Larry, and have always appreciated hearing from them through the Christmas letter. All our love and warm thoughts we are sending you way.
Kate and David Murray
Kate and David Murray
Message from Covington, KY
February 4, 2018 2:28 PM
May the good Lord embrace Mary and reward her for all the good she has been and done for so many! Her visit to St. Julie Mission in Uganda in 2008 was truly a blessing for all of us. I pray for all left behind, but following in her footsteps. May you meet again!
Message from Barbara Shannon
February 4, 2018 10:37 AM
I told Mary on Tuesday she was one of the nicest people I've ever known. I've known Mary since we were both teaching at the Adult School campus, long before Cathy was my high school drawing student. In recent years, Mary's marvelous personality added to the ambience of my painting classes. She was known as the fastest landscape artist ever. She regaled us with stories from family and teaching experiences to law enforcement adventures to ancestry.com discoveries. Mary was a joy to be around and her loss will be felt forever. God bless. - Barbara Shannon
A candle was lit by Jeannine, Jeff, and Eli Blakefield
on February 4, 2018 10:27 AM
A candle was lit by Barbara and Ron Shannon
on February 4, 2018 10:27 AM
A candle was lit by Marion JC Armijo
on February 3, 2018 9:01 PM
A candle was lit by Toni and Steve Friedman
on February 3, 2018 8:22 PM
A candle was lit by "Sister" Sue
on February 3, 2018 4:15 PM
Message from Betsy Potts
February 3, 2018 3:46 PM
Mary was a joyful, love-filled, brilliant woman. Her beautiful smile and positive attitude radiated from her. None of that changed with cancer. Her courage and faith deepened, but the essential Mary remained. She touched everyone who knew her.
What a privilege and a blessing to have known her.
Our deepest condolences to her family.
Betsy and Chuck Potts
What a privilege and a blessing to have known her.
Our deepest condolences to her family.
Betsy and Chuck Potts
© 2024 Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory. All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Personal Information | CFS Privacy Policy