Patricia Riggle

Patricia Marie Riggle, age 85, passed away on July 14th, after a tragic fall. A first-generation American, Pat was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, to Alice and William Haddock and was the youngest of three children. She is survived by her sister, Marjorie Frank and brother, Robert Haddock.

Pat grew up in Wyandotte and married her high school sweetheart, William Lewis Riggle, on October 10, 1953. An expert seamstress, she made clothing and other house-hold goods for her family. During the earlier years of their marriage Bill and Pat lived all over the country from Michigan to Tennessee to Nevada to Texas. They eventually settled outside of Washington, D.C. There, while raising three children, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics from George Mason University in May 1975 (before her eldest graduated from high school). She embarked on a professional career with the General Accounting Office (now the Government Accountability Office) in Washington, DC, and lived abroad in Germany for four years, with many trips around Europe and Africa for work and with family. Pat was a worldly and independent career woman. When being introduced by her eldest granddaughter to others she demanded to be referred to as Mrs. Riggle rather than Grandmother, as she was “far too young to be a grandparent”. However, Pat was fiercely protective of her grandchildren and immensely proud of all their accomplishments. With her husband and sons, she designed and built a vacation home in West Virginia. Later when Bill and Pat returned from working in Europe, they bought and ran a farm. She helped to take care of her farmer’s livestock and tried her hand at raising chickens, growing berries and fruit. After her retirement, Pat continued to travel with her family to destinations like Peru and the Bahamas. The décor of her farm and vacation home revealed the love of travel that both she and her late husband shared with unique mementos from the countries they visited. Pat was pre-deceased by Bill on June 11th 2003.

She had a love of historical and mystery novels and watched National Geographic movies for her quiet times. She spent long hours researching and writing a detailed genealogy of the family and even tracked down and visited previously unknown relatives. She was artistically inclined and spent years designing hand-made wood-block print Christmas cards. Knitting was a lifelong passion, and all her children and grandchildren had special Christmas stockings she designed for them. She was still knitting sweaters and had just completed both sleeves of her latest creation. She hosted many Christmas and Thanksgivings dinners that were cherished family gatherings creating life-long memories. She was an excellent cook and produced homemade jams and even made cassis. By far the favorite dishes of every member of the family were her lemon meringue pies and mincemeat tarts.

Pat was well read on topics ranging from the daily news to biographies to history. Her siblings, family members, friends, and colleagues always mentioned the great conversations they had with her: intellectual, political, artistic, and philosophical. She also completed the Times crossword, religiously. Pat enjoyed exploring historical houses and gardens with connections to the local area. Pat and her daughter Julia shared a close bond as they participated in these open house events. Pat became a Master Gardener and instilled within Julia the love and beauty found in garden flowers and trees. They regularly swam together at the YMCA and they each provided care for one another as needs arose. Pat was also proud of her two sons Dr. Karl Riggle and Thomas Riggle both of whom regularly visited and helped with the upkeep of both homes.

Pat will be deeply missed by her five grandchildren, Brittany, Jonathan, Kirsten, Beatriz, and Victoria, her children, their family members, her siblings, along with her many friends from diverse backgrounds. We are deeply saddened to say goodbye to Pat but we do understand living alone for 17 years after her husband Bill’s passing and Pat’s recent health issues was affecting her quality of life. We pray she is now in Heaven free of pain. Her life is a testament and an example of someone who continued to stay engaged, never give up, and who was passionate and committed to those in her life.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or another charity of your choice in Pat’s honor.

Services will be held privately. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bast-Stauffer Home in Boonsboro. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.