Leah Rigby, age 84, of Marion, went to be with the Lord late Monday evening, April 9, 2012, at the Primrose Retirement Community of Marion following an extended illness.
On May 6, 1927, Leah was born in Minerva, Ohio, one of two daughters of the late Jesse and Daisy (Roberts) Hyatt. She graduated from Minerva High School in the Class of 1945.
During high school, Leah had met a young gentleman, Lawrence “Larry” Rigby, but they ran in different circles and never got to know each other. A few years after school, after he was honorably discharged from the military, Leah and Larry reconnected and found they were meant for each other. They were married on June 10, 1950, in Minerva, Ohio, and have cherished every moment of their nearly 62 years together.
A loving homemaker, Leah always made sure her husband and three sons: Don, Gene and Dana, were taken care of. She also enjoyed cooking and baking for them, even making sure they had fresh cookies waiting at home for them most every day. As a family, they moved to their home on Harvey Drive, in 1968 when Larry became an integral member of Floyd Browne and Associates.
A woman of faith, Leah was a member of the Celebration Christian Church in Marion, and formerly was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Having a heart of gold, Leah volunteered at MARCA Industries for several years, and she was a member of the Child Conservation League, a group who helped educate mother’s on all aspects of parenthood.
An avid reader, Leah often would be found with either her Bible in her hand or reading about health foods and vitamins.
Showering her family with unconditional love, Leah was so very proud of her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She will be dearly missed by her beloved husband, Larry Rigby of Marion; two children: Don (Irene) Rigby of Marietta, Georgia, and Gene (Edna) Rigby of Marion; three grandchildren: Nichole (Derrick) Burkhalter, Christine (Chris) Wilson, and Amy (Chad Gariety) Rigby; two great-grandchildren: Colton Burkhalter and Harlen Wilson; a sister, Grace Gutherie of Minerva; and several nieces and nephews.
Including her parents, Leah was preceded in death by her son, Dana Rigby in 1978; and by a brother-in-law, Robert Gutherie.
The Rigby family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2012, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring her life will also be held there on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., with lead minister Matt Brent of the Celebration Christian Church officiating. Following her services, friends and family are invited to join them for a lunch buffet in celebration of Leah’s life at the Marion Country Club, 2415 Crissinger Rd., Marion, Ohio.
Burial services will be observed privately by Leah’s family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Celebration Christian Church or to Heartland Hospice. They may be sent through the care of the funeral home.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Leah’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
About Marion Online Obituaries
