Joan
Joan Riggs
d. August 11, 2012
Joan Alice (nee) Shuttleworth Riggs, born June 21, 1932 in Detroit Michigan passed away in Jefferson Maryland on August 11, 2012. She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Shuttleworth and mother Alice Tagg Shuttleworth and her siblings, Eileen Tagg and Frank Shuttleworth. She is survived by her children, Mark D. Riggs Martinsburg, WV, Ruth R. Pry, of Scotland, MD, and John C. Riggs of Jefferson, MD, her ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
One of her earliest childhood memories was seeing Al Jolson on stage. Joan was a consistent honor roll student attending Burroughs intermediate school and Edwin Denby High Schools in Detroit. She worked as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell until 1952 when she joined the U.S. Navy. She attended radio operator school and graduated at the top of her class in 1953. While serving in the Navy she met and married her husband of 30 years, John J. Riggs, deceased. She was an accomplished pianist, seamstress, and businesswoman. She had an uncanny memory, an enviable ability to make friends and was cherished for her quick wit and infectious laugh.
The parting words she left for her loved ones encapsulate the energy she exuded until the end of her days: Remember me with smiles and laughter. That’s how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don’t remember me at all. She admonished against holding a service at her passing, but rather directed that a party be thrown to celebrate her life. Rest in peace our beloved mother, Joan Alice Riggs.
Mark, John, & Ruthie
One of her earliest childhood memories was seeing Al Jolson on stage. Joan was a consistent honor roll student attending Burroughs intermediate school and Edwin Denby High Schools in Detroit. She worked as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell until 1952 when she joined the U.S. Navy. She attended radio operator school and graduated at the top of her class in 1953. While serving in the Navy she met and married her husband of 30 years, John J. Riggs, deceased. She was an accomplished pianist, seamstress, and businesswoman. She had an uncanny memory, an enviable ability to make friends and was cherished for her quick wit and infectious laugh.
The parting words she left for her loved ones encapsulate the energy she exuded until the end of her days: Remember me with smiles and laughter. That’s how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don’t remember me at all. She admonished against holding a service at her passing, but rather directed that a party be thrown to celebrate her life. Rest in peace our beloved mother, Joan Alice Riggs.
Mark, John, & Ruthie
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