Eileen O’Hara Riggs, 88, of Ridgefield, CT, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. She was the beloved wife of the late Ronald Allen Riggs. Eileen (née Eileen Katherine O’Hara) was born on January 16, 1936, in Danbury, CT, to Marion Frances (Nilan) and William Vincent O’Hara. She attended St. Peter’s School and graduated from Danbury High School in 1953.
In 1955, at age 19, Eileen left Connecticut to seek adventure as a modern working woman in Manhattan. She worked as a secretary and lived in a boarding house, forging lifelong friendships and happy memories. In the 1960s, she moved to California, where she met and worked for the dashing Ronald Allen Riggs, an up-and-coming executive. Ron and Eileen decided they would much rather marry than work together, so the two were wed on May 20, 1967, at the Highlands Inn in Carmel, California.
The couple settled in Saratoga, California, and started their family. Lisa and Erica arrived in 1968 and 1969, less than 11 months apart. In 1971, the family moved to Vestal, NY; in 1972, along came Matthew, the baby of the family. In 1973, the family of five settled for good in Ridgefield, CT. Eileen and the children were active in St. Mary’s Parish, and the children attended the Ridgefield Public Schools.
Eileen embraced being a stay-at-home mother during her children’s younger years. She passionately cared for them, ensuring they were happy, busy with activities, and enjoying their childhood. Her family will never forget summers with her and Ron in their happy place, Quonnie, RI, surrounded by friends, extended family, cousin breakfasts, sugar cereals, and Trivial Pursuit games.
Eileen’s priority in life was the welfare of her children and nine grandchildren, who knew her as their beloved ‘Mimi.’ She spent as much time as possible with them, forging unique and special relationships with each and every one of them. She had an innate ability to relate to each child on their level, at any age.
Beloved friend to many, she always lent an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. Her earliest and formative friendships were with her sister, Ann Marie, and her Willis and O’Hara cousins. As a couple, Eileen and Ron treasured their relationships with fellow parents who became family to them. Later in life, Eileen cherished the friends she made through her many years of writing class at Founders Hall.
Eileen was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Ronald Allen Riggs, who passed away at the age of 61 in 1996. She is survived by daughters Lisa Riggs Hobbs (Scott) and Erica Riggs Buse (Christopher), and son Matthew Allen Riggs (Sharon); and her beloved grandchildren: James, Charles, and Elizabeth Hobbs; Olivia, Katherine, and Alexander Buse; and Noah, Evan, and Declan Riggs. Eileen is also survived by Ron’s daughter, her stepdaughter, Dawn Ellen Sullivan (partner Don Matthews) of Norwalk, CT; his grandchildren William Bardaji (Kaitlin) of Williamstown, NJ, and Aurora Lee Sullivan of Huntington Beach, CA; and his great-grandchildren Liam and Beau Bardaji.
Also surviving are Eileen’s sister and lifelong best friend and confidant, Ann-Marie White of West Hartford, CT (whose husband, James J. White, passed away just hours after Eileen on the same day) and much younger brothers William Brian O’Hara (Linda) of Saugus, CA, and James Edward O’Hara of Danbury, CT, in addition to numerous beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, February 16, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 10:00 AM in Saint Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in Saint Mary's Cemetery; 110 North Street, Ridgefield.
Contributions in Mrs. Riggs' memory may be made to Founders Hall - 193 Danbury Road; Ridgefield, CT 06877, https://founders-hall.org/.