Donna F. Riggs Obituary (2025)

Donna Firth Riggs, 80, of Marlton, NJ, died peacefully on June 16, 2025 surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband Jimmy Riggs, daughters Karen (Ernie) Simon and Susan (Christian) Speas, step-daughters Toni (Stuart) Rice and Christine (Dusty) Shelton, grandchildren Owen Speas, Claire Speas, Marlee Simon, and Theodore Simon, step-grandchild Rachel (Tyler) Long, and two step-great-greatgranddaughters, Louise Long and Colette Long. Donna was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. As a wife, Donna was happily married for 23 years. Donna and Jimmy met taking dance lessons - and became partners for life, with two adopted kitties, Sugar and Squirt, and spent their days between Maryland, the Delaware Beaches, and South Jersey. As a parent, Donna was always involved in her children’s lives, as Room Mother, PTA member, Girl Scout leader, and Swim Team parent, and was their biggest cheerleader. She made everything for her family memorable and from scratch: home cooked dinners almost every night, handmade costumes for Halloween and church plays, and knitted blankets and Christmas stockings. As a grandparent, lovingly called Nonna, she always said yes to babysitting and attended every recital, concert, and birthday party. Donna loved music. In her younger days, she sang all through high school and majored in music at West Virginia Wesleyan. In her adulthood, she taught piano lessons in her home, sang in the church choir, and continued to play piano her whole life. Donna loved being active. She enjoyed bike riding, exercising, dancing, swimming, and going for walks with her neighborhood friends. She loved the Jersey beaches, finding seashells, riding the carousel, and eating Salt Water Taffy. She loved to read books and watch movies. She had friends whom she held dear at every stage of her life and also loved to help strangers, by donating blood, singing at nursing homes, and volunteering at the Care and Share thrift store at Trinity. She was an animal lover and provided a happy home to dogs and cats alike. Most of all, Donna loved to laugh, connect with others, and spend time with family and friends. As Maya Angelou said, “At the end of the day, people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” Everyone who knew Donna will always remember feeling special, safe, seen, heard, and loved in her presence. Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation beginning 10:00 am on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Rt 70 East in Cherry Hill, NJ where her Memorial Service will begin promptly at 11:00 am. Contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.