Submitted by: Dan Rich

Amelia E. Riggs

Oct. 30, 1938 - Feb. 18, 2008

South Bend Tribune 2/19/2008
SOUTH BEND - Amelia E. "Amy" Riggs, 69, residing in South Bend, passed away at 1:30 a.m. Monday, February 18, 2008, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend. She was born October 30, 1938, in South Bend, to Elmer and Dorothy (Wright) Winrott, and had remained a lifelong resident of South Bend.

On September 7, 1957, in South Bend, as Amelia Winrott, she was united in marriage to Phillip G. Riggs, who preceded her in death on February 25, 1991. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert Winrott, on February 18, 2005. Amy was a longtime active member of Little Flower Catholic Church, where for several years she would help prepare food for the funeral luncheons. She also served as an outreach worker for the Clay Neighborhood Center. She was a very loving and caring woman. Almost everyone she met became one of her "Children." She enjoyed making Christmas crafts for her family. She liked to read and work jigsaw puzzles. On the holidays, and even in between, a "small army" of people would gather in her home to celebrate. Amy instilled in all of her children the true meaning of family. She taught us all that family is the most precious gift you can have. We love you Mom. You will always be with us in our hearts.

Amy is survived by her 10 children and their families, Peggy (George) Sherman of South Bend, Barbara Riggs of South Bend, Susie (Enrique) Matamoros-Morales of Cassopolis, MI, Phyllis (Thomas) Murdick of South Bend and Sally Riggs of South Bend, Randy (Kim) Riggs, Jerry (Melanie) Riggs, Greg (Tammy) Riggs, John (Pattie) Riggs and Ricky Riggs, all of South Bend. Also surviving are 23 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A sister, Vera Snyder of Florida, three brothers, Edward Winrott of Mishawaka, James (Ella) Frederick of South Bend and Orville (Beverly) Frederick of New Palestine, IN, and a sister-in-law, Linda Winrott of Mesa, AZ, survive Amy as well.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, in Little Flower Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, in Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday. Visitation will also be one hour prior to Mass on Thursday in the church.