1915
Mary
2009
Mary Catherine Riggs
April 7, 1915 — October 11, 2009
Mary Catherine Willett Riggs, born April 7, 1915, wife of Joseph Newton "Newt" Riggs, Jr. (who preceded her in death in 1999), formerly of Amarillo, TX, late of Austin, TX, died peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 at the age of 94 in Austin.
Mary C was born in Louisville, KY, the daughter of Felix Rogers Willett and Mabel Hughes. She was reared in Kentucky, Oklahoma and Amherst, TX and attended public school in Amherst, TX, St. Mary's Academy in Amarillo, and LSU in Baton Rouge, LA. Her love of knowledge and education remained throughout her life and was passed on to her children.
Mary C married Newt Riggs in 1937 and they moved to Pampa, TX where they began their family. Martha Patricia Riggs was born in 1941. Pat married Virgil Edmond Flathouse and they have four children (Craig William, Scott Edmond, Ross Joseph, and Mark Virgil). Elizabeth Anne Riggs was born in 1946. Anne married Jesse Carl Zesiger and they have two children (Bryan Carl and Julia Anne Scarbrough). Joseph Newton Riggs III was born in 1948. Joseph married Jacki Pieracci and they have three children (Joseph Newton IV, Amanda Marie, and Austin Spencer). Mary C’s immediate family has now grown to include 12 great-grandchildren.
Newt worked for the Amarillo Hardware Company from 1937 to 1972, and the family moved from Pampa to Amarillo when he became vice president of the company. Newt and Mary C were active in the rearing of their children and were well-known in the social and educational community of Amarillo. She also created exquisite needlework. Newt worked while Mary C focused her attention on the family, encouraging the children to pursue their dreams. Each of their children graduated from Tascosa High School and continued the family’s commitment to education, and each graduated from college with multiple degrees.
After their children left for college, Newt retired and he and Mary C remained in Amarillo and worked as volunteers at St. Anthony's Hospital for many years. They both enjoyed being actively involved in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary C moved to Austin after Newt's death.
A Vigil Service will be held Saturday, Oct. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, 78745. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 5455 Bee Cave Road, Austin 78746. Burial will be in Amarillo on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St. John Neumann Building Fund, Austin, TX.
Mary C was born in Louisville, KY, the daughter of Felix Rogers Willett and Mabel Hughes. She was reared in Kentucky, Oklahoma and Amherst, TX and attended public school in Amherst, TX, St. Mary's Academy in Amarillo, and LSU in Baton Rouge, LA. Her love of knowledge and education remained throughout her life and was passed on to her children.
Mary C married Newt Riggs in 1937 and they moved to Pampa, TX where they began their family. Martha Patricia Riggs was born in 1941. Pat married Virgil Edmond Flathouse and they have four children (Craig William, Scott Edmond, Ross Joseph, and Mark Virgil). Elizabeth Anne Riggs was born in 1946. Anne married Jesse Carl Zesiger and they have two children (Bryan Carl and Julia Anne Scarbrough). Joseph Newton Riggs III was born in 1948. Joseph married Jacki Pieracci and they have three children (Joseph Newton IV, Amanda Marie, and Austin Spencer). Mary C’s immediate family has now grown to include 12 great-grandchildren.
Newt worked for the Amarillo Hardware Company from 1937 to 1972, and the family moved from Pampa to Amarillo when he became vice president of the company. Newt and Mary C were active in the rearing of their children and were well-known in the social and educational community of Amarillo. She also created exquisite needlework. Newt worked while Mary C focused her attention on the family, encouraging the children to pursue their dreams. Each of their children graduated from Tascosa High School and continued the family’s commitment to education, and each graduated from college with multiple degrees.
After their children left for college, Newt retired and he and Mary C remained in Amarillo and worked as volunteers at St. Anthony's Hospital for many years. They both enjoyed being actively involved in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary C moved to Austin after Newt's death.
A Vigil Service will be held Saturday, Oct. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, 78745. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 5455 Bee Cave Road, Austin 78746. Burial will be in Amarillo on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St. John Neumann Building Fund, Austin, TX.
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