Christine Moffatt Riggs

Christine Moffatt Riggs, 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Burlington, VT on Saturday July 30, 2016. [private]Born on July 2, 1925 in Sydney Nova Scotia, to Charles Oulton Moffatt and Christine Gordon Moffatt, she moved to Boston with her family when she was 3. She had fond memories of going to the Boston Public Library with her mother and older brother, creating her life long love of learning and a keen mind who relished the challenges provided by crossword puzzles. A child of the depression, she lost her mother when she was nine, living at Everett House, a school “for promising young women.” After graduating, she went to Airplane Mechanics School in Eastpor, Maine to help out in the war effort. She then worked for Stone and Webster Engineering and was very proud of her plaque that commemorated her contributions to the Manhattan Project, which helped end World War II. She was especially proud of her Scottish Heritage, wearing her mother’s Gordon Crest necklace with the motto “Stay and Fight” to the end. In 1944, she married Frank Alton Riggs, a young Air Force flight engineer from Vermont who she had met in Boston. They built their own house in Williston VT, raising four children in whom she instilled two vitally important attitudes – “You can do anything you set your mind to” and “If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” After retiring, she dabbled in a life-long interest of hers – painting. She especially enjoyed the challenge and detail required in portraits. Her work was featured in several shows in the Burlington area over the last ten years. She is survived by her sons Terry Riggs and his wife Mary Lynn, of Fletcher VT; Gary Riggs and his wife Susan, of Bakersfield VT; her daughter Dale Ila Riggs and her husband Don Miles, of Stephentown NY; her dearest friend Karen Cloutier of Burlington; her brother Warren Moffatt and wife Fay of Middleboro MA; sisters-in law Lois and Harriett Riggs, Jean Glissman, Janet, Berta, Dot, and Diane Moffatt; granddaughters Kim Riggs Ryan and Elizabeth Macauley; grandsons Cliff, Stephen, Tyler, and Willard Riggs and their families; 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Frank Riggs, her daughter Sheralyn (Sherri) Christine Riggs, and 4 brothers. The family would like to thank Dr. Clara Keegan, Dr. Virginia Hood, and the talented staff at Converse House for their exceptional care of Christine. Through their efforts, she was able to retain her keen mind, her independence, and her ability to be in charge of her own affairs for over 91 years. At Christine’s request, there will be no services. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution can contribute to the Staff Education Fund at Converse House, 272 Church St., Burlington, VT 05401. [/private]