Lois C. Riggs

Lois C. Riggs, 93, Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 10, 1926, in Teaneck, NJ, the daughter of Charles and Otillia “Tillie” (Yunker) Schroers. The family lived in Rochelle Park, NJ just across the Hudson River from New York City. Upon graduating from high school, she attended Berkeley Secretarial School in NYC. After graduation she worked as a secretary for the American Petroleum Institute and later for the American Cyanamid Corporation (both located in the RCA building in Rockefeller Center).
Following WWII, she began dating a family friend who was an acquaintance from her high school years. On May 17, 1947, Lois married Bradner C. Riggs. They moved to Washington D.C. where he worked for the FBI and was attending law school. She found a job as a secretary at the Heck Company. Brad and Lois moved several times during their married life including to Baltimore, MD, Rochelle Park, NJ, Hammond, IN, Park Forest, IL, and finally Rockford. Lois was a homemaker for most of their married life. She is a devout Catholic and was greatly sustained by her faith. She was an active school volunteer, spent many hours ironing the linens for her church, volunteering at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center and helping in the gift shop at Presence St. Anne Center gift shop. Lois enjoyed sewing, needlework, knitting and gardening. She enjoyed her daily crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and solving cryptoquotes. Lois enjoyed watching British shows on public television, as well as golf and tennis. She was an avid reader, especially nonfiction books, was a loyal Cubs and Bears fan, and played a mean hand of Bridge. Special thanks to the caregivers and staff from the Visiting Angels, Care Referral Services, and Mercy Health Home Hospice for their loving care and support.
Survived by her children, Christine (David) Mitchell of Waterloo, IA, Andrew (Connie) Riggs, Daniel (April) Riggs, and Peter Riggs, all of Rockford; her grandchildren, Adrienne (Robert) Van Norman, Rebecca Mitchell, Michael (Annelyne), Patrick (Allison), Samuel, Kelsey, Madison, Philip (Kelsi), Luke, and Ian Riggs; her great-grandchildren, William, Charles, Melli, Gabrielle, and another one soon to be born. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years the Honorable Bradner C. Riggs who passed away on October 23, 2008, her youngest son, David, her brother, Charles and her sister, Rosemarie Mayer.
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic all services will be private. Burial will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Winnebago County CASA, PO Box 4701, Rockford, IL 61110-4701. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.