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Sydney Ann Samuelson Riggs
Sydney Ann Samuelson Riggs
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Sydney Riggs Obituary
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Kevin Goertzen
July 12, 2006
I didn't know this existed, and heaven knows nobody has signed it forever, but I wanted to put my name on here also. I just did a search for Syd's name online and was just reading all of the wonderful things she has done and people she has touched. We all still think about her, and she will always be a huge part of our lives! Love you Syd!
Kevin Goertzen
Laurie Bitters
February 13, 2006
Thanks for keeping this guest book open, Katie. It is nice to see how many lives your mom touched. I wish you all the best and think of you often. I sure do miss her....
Heather Riggs
December 20, 2005
Mom, it has been six months now since you left us, and every day has been a battle to smile and carry on as you would tell us to. And yes, you would tell us what to do! There is not a day that goes by without tears shed for you, sometimes tears of sorrow, some of joy. I love you more today than ever. I miss you. Thanks for being my mom.
Heather
Ann Tucker
July 13, 2005
Dennis: I attending the wonderful memorial program at Sundance. I learned so much about Syd. She was an incredible person with amazing talent. She taught my children at Orem High and they all felt grateful to have had that experience. She was loved by all. A great many people will feel her loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ann Ahlander Tucker
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Kathryn Little
July 13, 2005
These are some thoughts I shared at the Memorial Service on the Sunday night following Syd's passing. I've been asked to share them and thought this would be the appropriate place to do so. I hope they bring some comfort and assurance.
Love,
Kathryn
I have maintained for years that my role as a teacher is to teach my students to teach themselves. I believe that Syd, as the great teacher that she was, would have agreed with that philosophy. She enriched every life that came in contact with her in some way. Sometimes through building, humbling, frustrating, preaching, and testifying of her belief in God, the gospel, human beings and love.
There is a philosophy that I adhere to about life and death: It is that we all have a mission here on earth and that we are protected until we have fulfilled that mission, after which time that particular protection is withdrawn and we are subject to the calamities that accompany this earthly existence and eventually we will be taken back into our Heavenly Father's direct care. I'm sure there are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part this makes sense to me, feels right and gives me comfort.
I don't know how long ago Syd's mission was complete. With all of the incredible things she accomplished in here life, it could have been years ago. But, I believe that complete her mission she did and now she has the wonderful opportunity to continue her work on the other side of this earthly veil under the direct council of our Heavenly Father. And I'm sure she will. Could even death slow Syd down? I truly doubt it. (I would, however, recommend a slight breater, Syd!)
Syd created many roles for herself on this side of the veil. At least one of them touched each of us here tonight. Some of those roles are unfillable, others are work that must and will be continued. Syd's mission here is complete. The work of serving our Father in Heaven is not. There are, more than ever, many lives that need to be touched, people who need to be taught how to love and then encouraged to do so. My prayer here tonight is that our love for Syd, will inspire us to serve and bless the lives of those who pick up the mantel and move on. That we will not only allow, but encourage them as they find their own way in which to do the work. It will be tempting to think, “Well, they're not Syd. Syd would have done it this way…” The fact is, they won't be Syd . Nor should they be. In loving them we carry on the vision of the work. And that's a good thing. That's the best thing.
Syd has been our teacher and mentor, our director, our directing partner, our collaborating buddy, and most importantly our friend. We will miss her deeply. But as she would have wanted us to, we will move forward and let the lessons we have learned from her help us to bless the lives of all with whom we come in contact, serving our Savior as she did.
I love you all,
Kathryn
Kay Gamble
July 8, 2005
Dear Family of Sydney,
I just heard about Sydney's passing from her bother Scott. I am so sorry to hear this. We all attended school together in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1960 on, and we had so much fun together in our church branch. I remember Sydney always being fun to be with and always smiling and laughing. My sisters, Julie and Sue and myself all send our deepest sympathy to your family.
Kay Butler Gamble
Rebekah Wilbur
June 30, 2005
Syd will always be remembered as a great asset to the utah theatre community. We love you Syd!
Karla Southern
June 30, 2005
I was a student for syd for a year. That year I grew so much. I never tried out for play's or anything like that (to avoid sudden fame) but I loved her. She was so great and a great friend to all the students. May you hearts be comforted in the arms of our loving heavenly father. God be with you till we meet again.
Love
Karla (Tomkinson) Southern
Suzanne Bluth / Robertson
June 29, 2005
Dennis - We've lost track over the years but we hold such fond memories of your family. Kent and I are truly surprised and saddened by Syd's passing. May the Lord bless and comfort you.
Elizabeth (Liz) Anderson
June 28, 2005
Syd, Thanks for always making those of us always in the chorus feel like we were center stage. Thanks for never rolling your eyes when Heather and I made scary juice. Thanks for being spontaneous enough to stop rehearsals on a whim and make the whole cast go see Strictly Ballroom.
This guestbook is filled with names off so many friends. My eyes are filled with tears as I recognize we owe our connectedness to you. Our memories are covered with your influence.
I love all you Riggs out there!
Steve Macey
June 27, 2005
Father in Heaven must be putting on a very special performance to get Syd to come home right now, but then again she never could turn down a new roll no matter where it took her!
For those who Love her and will miss her, I leave this Poem.
"I'll Come To You At Sunset"
by
Steve Macey
When my life at last is over,
and all my earthly work is done.
When I hear "The Father" call me
and the angels they do come.
And I'll go where you will miss me
and you'll want to hear my voice.
But then you will remember,
that we live "His" plan by choice.
And each time your heart, it yearns
and your eyes they look for me.
I'll come to you at sunset....Watch!
I'll be smiling back at thee.
When the clouds of discouragement,
drive you to the Earth.
When at times you fell despair
and question your own birth.
When you feel a total loneliness,
when surrounded by a crowd.
When you want my lips on your lips
and call my name out loud.
Have faith my love....look westward,
out across the sea.
I'll come to you at sunset.....Watch!
I'll be smiling back at thee.
Becky Butcher
June 27, 2005
Dennis,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Syd was a wonderful human being and touched my life deeply. May our Heavenly Father's love comfort you at this time and always.
Jon Clark
June 27, 2005
Syd Riggs is one of those unique individuals that will always make me so proud to have been an Orem High Tiger. Although I was not involved in drama, I was always jealous of those students because of the lasting experience that Syd and others created and their affection for such a great teacher and mentor. I was so privileged to see many of her productions at OHS over the years as my father was also a teacher there and tried to take our family to as many wonderful plays as possible. What a legacy she has left! God bless.
A friend
June 26, 2005
I wasn't a actor. I wasn't even a player. Most the time I sat on the sidelines and watched. I was frightened of failing, of not being good enough. Your plays, your friendship, your enthusiam always lifted me. I am better because I knew you. I appreciate your desire to love people where they were at while at the same time inviting them to stretch and become better. Thank you for your gift. I will miss you but as always enjoy your journey!
Penny Green-Hissem
June 26, 2005
God must have needed another angel. It seems like there are some people we think will live on forever - Syd was one of those for me. It was in 1959 in Wiesbaden, Germany that we met while attending Gen. Hap Arnold High School. Syd and I were really into horses and school plays. I have so many fond memories of Syd - just a few are staying at the stables as long as we could grooming our horses for the next fox hunt or show -- it was a pretty neat stable - three stories high with cobblestone ramps to take the horses up and down. The lower floor was storage for feed and grain. The second floor was the stables and the office for the manager Frau Hertzog. The third floor was a huge riding ring with mirrors on the wall so you could see what you were doing right or wrong - there was an area at one end with tierd seating for judges and spectators - at the other end was a glass wall with a "pub" behind it. Boy did we have fun ! And another memory is Syd in her Volkswagen Beetle teaching me how to double-clutch !! We almost went through the windshield a couple of times, and we almost broke our ribs laughing. She will live on in alot of our minds. I am sharing this poem with you because it is how I think she would feel: Do not stand by my grave and weep -I am not there - I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow - I am a diamond glint on snow - I am the sunlight on ripened grain-I am the gentle Autumn rain. When you awake in the morning hush-I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starshine at night - Do not stand by my grave and weep -I am not there - I do not sleep. Anonynous -- You are all in my thoughts and prayers. A friend from long ago - Penny
David Grant
June 26, 2005
Condolences from Gen.H.H.Arnold
High School Class of 62.
Sandy (Brunke) Whalen
June 26, 2005
My prayers to all of Syd's family. I had the pleasure of knowing Syd in high school at Gen. H.H. Arnold in Wiesbaden Germany in the early 60's. We shared many great times riding, doing the school plays and finding ways to ditch gym. We did stay in touch all these years and we were planning on the next reunion to meet again. She will be greatly missed.
Daina and Shawn Bitters
June 24, 2005
Memories:
Sunset breaks from rehersals
Meg and Rosie
Syd showing up Christmas morning with the portrait of Janae as RosaBud for an unexpected Christmas gift
Late night chats
Village Inn
La Belle Luna
The Smell of Russian Olive Trees
Thank you Syd for your life's gift!
Eliza Ashton Smith
June 24, 2005
My thoughts and prayers go out to Syd's family at this time. My family, along with many others, have been the recipients of her wonderful productions. I loved being a part of one of them, Peter Pan, at Orem High. She is truly an amazing woman and will be missed dearly.
Aimee Cooper Hopkin
June 24, 2005
While attending Syd's funeral, there were many opportunities to write down memories and feelings for Syd. At the time the grief was too vicious, the tears too close, and so I passed. Days later the need to write, to add permanance to my memories has surfaced and i would like to add my voice to all the others that have written here.
I had good parents who loved me very much, but as I grew up they were quite surprised to find they had an "artistic" teenager on thier hands. At about that same time I met Syd and Adrian. I had found kindred spirits and, I believe, it was quite a relief to my parents to to be able to hand me over to them. I suppose at that point Syd became my second mother. My mother gave me life, but Syd gave me MY life. Syd gave me art and culture, music, make believe and magic. My mom gave me chedder cheese, Syd gave me brie. Most important, Syd taught me how to make a virgin dacqueri and how to use a power drill, good old fashioned life skills. Thank you, Syd.
To Adrian, Heather, Katie and Tim, thank you for sharing your mother with me, I will always be grateful.
Mark Preston
June 24, 2005
My heart is broken... I will always miss Syd's love of life, infectious laugh, and big hugs! My life is better because I knew her.
Willes and Karen Thorne
June 24, 2005
We are so grateful for the influence Syd had on our son Jeff. He was shocked and saddened by the news that he had lost one of his favorite teachers. May she be blessed for all the good things she did for others, and may her family be comforted to know what a good person she was. Love and condolences from the entire Thorne Family.
Joyce Porter
June 24, 2005
One of my favorite memories of Syd was when we were doing the musical Anything Goes at Orem High. I was in the Orchestra for the musical we were on a break because they were practicing the wedding scene with Jana Peterson and Spencer Hall. Spencer wasn't feeling so well and right in the middle of the ceremony he threw up all over the stage. Everybody just stood there looking and no one wanted to clean it up. Sid being the mother she is jumped right in and got the mop and started cleaning it up. When finished she turned to Spencer and said I hope you don't do that on your real wedding day. She always had a great sense of humor that everyone appreciated and will be greatly missed. I am very grateful to her for helping me gain a love of the arts and musical and plays especially. I am grateful for the opportunity she gave the orchestra to be a part of the plays. It helped us gain a better love of music and helped us to appreciate all types of music. She gave me the drive to keep on going with music and because I kept with it I was able to go to New York and play at Carnegie Hall. I am going to miss her greatly. She was like a mom to me in my time at Orem High. She always wanted the best for everybody and she knew how to get the best out of everybody she worked with.
M'Lisa Bailey-Hansen
June 24, 2005
Dear Riggs Family (and Jerry Elison too!),
It's taken me nearly a week to come to terms with Syd's passing. Yes, it's possible for a heart to break; we all know that now don't we? But of course this would be the only thing that could happen when it was time for our dear Syd to move on in her eternal journey without us. My thougts and prayers are with each one of you. I missed you all on Wednesday at the funeral, but I was there in spirit. Please know you will always be part of my heart, as will be Syd. I love you all!
Kathryn (Kate) Bartholomew
June 23, 2005
I have already signed this guestbook myself (at an embarrassing length, too), but I wanted to add something by my email friend, “Nickname Babu,” as he would say, that touched me. I think it especially speaks to Heather, Adrian, Katie and Tim (and, in a way, to the many people to whom Syd was like a second Mother). Babu, who is Indian (Calcutta), by no means has flawless English (to his great credit, he speaks Bengali – his “mother tongue”, Hindi, and “some Russian and Spanish” in addition to his impressive English), but I think what he says is nonetheless very eloquent. This is his response (in part) to a message I sent telling him I was feeling shocked and bereaved at the news of Syd’s sudden death: The news indeed is horrible and unexpected. It's really very hard to digest. I know how you feel when someone very close to you passes away suddenly. Same incident happened with me in 1995 when I was 25 years and my father passed away. My father passed at the age of 53 and my mom was only 45 at that time. I can't explain I felt so helpless that time. I did't have a job also to support my family. Later on within a year I could manage to get a job… I am sorry for your freind Syd. My condolence to her family. I can understand the mental state of her children. Although they are grown up but still when we loose our parents, we start acting like a kid. We feel like we lost everything. Complete dark all over. Kate, it's a horrible feelings, beyond any explanation. You know Kate, parents are like shelter, if they are not there, then you feel like you are completely exposed. Anyway, be patient and handle the situation. May God give you more mental strength and boldness to face all odds. ”Parents are like shelter” – I love that. I believe wonderful friends are, too. And I know we will still feel the "shelter" of Syd's influence in our hearts.
Susan Tuckett
June 23, 2005
To Syd's family and friends. To all of her students, My prayers are with you. Syd entered my life years back when she reserved rooms for the Shakespeare Competitions. She has brought her entourage to the Abbey Inn each year. She was a hoot. My staff loved her so much. We all looked forward to seeing her and her students. The best ticket in the house was the one in the parking lot, by the pool (that was her spot), into the late hours. I did security for the hotel to keep the kids quiet. That was a laugh!!! I was too wrapped up watching, to keep things quiet. Her students along with the other Utah county schools, that stayed with us are family. We will miss her so much. October will be very hard for me because I won't get to see her sweet face or get the great hug she gave me each time she arrived. I know she is happy and that will help to sustain us. God bless her and God bless her family.
Tisha Judd-Kirby
June 23, 2005
Heather... I can not even begin to tell you how sorry I am about the passing of your mother. She was such a jewel and a treasure to so many. She made everybody in her life feel important and welcome!! I was blessed to know her and was just as blessed to know you. I wish I could do something for you. I was truly sick when I heard the news... please, please let me know if I can do anything. I love you so much and know of your love for your mother. We all know how much you loved her. She knew... May she watch over and take care of all of you at this difficult time. I love you... Tisha
Scott Champion
June 23, 2005
Syd was an amazing director. I did two shows at the Hale that she directed. I always admired her confidence in whatever she did. I will miss her.
Ken and Becky Holt
June 23, 2005
It has been such a comfort to have the Riggs a part of our family. Syd has been a second mother for our daughter, Amy, for all the many years she has been out west. She will always be remembered with love, comfort, and caring and as our "Utah Guardian Angel".
We love and miss you,
Holt and Becky
Jason Butler
June 23, 2005
Like others, words will never capture the influence Syd had on my life. She taught me about the power of theatre by showing me, by letting me taste it, smell it, and be a part of it. For at least a decade of my life -- those difficult developing years -- Syd was a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. I count myself blessed to have been influenced by her.
Here's to jello pudding, late night strikes, snoring, being the first, taking risks, horses, the Shell, green pants, unstoppable laughter, Mafia, freezing nights and hot days, creativity, and love.
My warmest wishes of peace and love to the Riggs family.
Joyce Porter
June 23, 2005
One of my favorite memories of Syd was when we were doing the musical Anything Goes at Orem High. I was in the Orchestra for the musical we were on a break because they were practicing the wedding scene with Jana Peterson and Spencer Hall. Spencer wasn't feeling so well and right in the middle of the ceremony he threw up all over the stage. Everybody just stood there looking and no one wanted to clean it up. Sid being the mother she is jumped right in and got the mop and started cleaning it up. When finished she turned to Spencer and said I hope you don't do that on your real wedding day. She always had a great sense of humor that everyone appreciated and will be greatly missed. I am very grateful to her for helping me gain a love of the arts and musical and plays especially. I am grateful for the opportunity she gave the orchestra to be a part of the plays. It helped us gain a better love of music and helped us to appreciate all types of music. She gave me the drive to keep on going with music and because I kept with it I was able to go to New York and play at Carnegie Hall. I am going to miss her greatly. She was like a mom to me in my time at Orem High. She always wanted the best for everybody and she knew how to get the best out of everybody she worked with.
Susan Krueger-Barber
June 22, 2005
I remember all the love, fun, acceptance, tenderness, and wonderful Sundays. Your mother changed thousands of people's lives. I'm so thankful that I knew her, and I know so many people who love her.
Johnathon Johnson-Ryan
June 22, 2005
I am sad to hear that Syd has gone on to the BIG STAGE, but I'm very happy that we crossed paths. She was the most amazingly creative spirit, that I had ever met, and made it her goal to share it with the world. The very first time I met her was when she cast me in Shenandoah as one of her "Towne's Women". I was a bit nervous, but it made a memory for me and those involved. She is still doing what she loves to do, only the Big Stage has the best players and now the best Daughter, Wife, Mother, Friend, Teacher, Director I had ever had the pleasure of knowing. I love you SYD. Keep smiling on us!
Johnathon Johnson-Ryan
This is a Poem I wrote a couple of years ago. This is what I read after hearing about Syd's Passing.
ONE DAY
Breathing in one question
Feeling scared to turn away.
Walking faster for I see you slipping
That much farther away from me.
If our fate fades away with one day
At least that's one day I was complete
No questions on if you ever left me
For you in my arms is worth eternity
Take me back to that one-day
One day brought me opportunity
You taught me how to open my eyes
You showed me how to live my life
One day you proved and made me see
That day it changed me differently
One day everything seize to be
That day you shared your world with me.
If our fate fades away with one day
At least that's on day I was complete
No questions of if you say good-bye
that’s one day I'll always keep inside
Sydney Carlson
June 22, 2005
Hey Syd,
we're all going to miss you sooo much! we love you and will keep you in our prayers and thoughts. You always brought out the best in all of us and I'm going to miss that! We don't know what we are going to do without you know that your gone. There are holes at the Hale and the high school with you gone and none of us know how we'll get along without you. Always remember you are missed and we love you!
~Sydney
Clarke Jackman
June 22, 2005
You are such an inspiration!
We love and miss you.
-Clarke Jackman
Laurie Bitters
June 22, 2005
I left Orem to do schooling after having worked with Syd for many years at Orem High. I came back for Christmas this year and stopped in to see Syd. We looked at her walls and she proceeded to tell me all about those faces from the past. She reminded me of names that I had forgotten, told me where they were and what they were doing. It was one of her gifts. People wanted to keep in touch with her, and she would remember. We'll all remember Syd- and miss her.
Chris & Katie HIgbee
June 22, 2005
Our hearts are so broken by the news of Syd's death. Like so many others, Syd played a major role in our lives; friend, teacher, confidant, mentor, catalyst... We all knew we could be away from Syd for years and show up on her doorstep at any time and it would be like we’d never left.
Dennis, Heather, Adrian, Katie and Tim – we love you and are so grateful for the hours of your Mom and Wife’s life that you shared with us.
The day I heard of Syd’s death, I heard this poem by Mary Oliver that seemed so fitting of the life she led and the legacy she left.
WHEN DEATH COMES
When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measles-pox;
when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,
and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,
and each name a comfortable music in the mouth
tending as all music does, toward silence,
and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.
When it's over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it is over, I don't want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument.
I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.
Syd was not a visitor. She lived a life of wonder and her wonder rubbed off on us all. Katie and I only hope that we can continue the legacy that Syd left us all and teach our own children to have the same sense of wonder and gratitude for the beautiful things of this life as Syd did. She will be greatly missed.
Love,
Chris & Katie Higbee
Heather Ferguson
June 22, 2005
I pray that I can someday be like you. Your life was so full; there wasn't anything that stopped you from doing all that you wanted. Your Heavenly Father, your family, and Theatre came first in your life and it will always come first in mine. Thank you for your support in every moment in my life. You were there for me; calling and writing while I was living all over the world. I needed you and you were always there. The late night talks that lasted for hours will forever give me inspiration in all that I undertake. This world was lucky to have you for the time that it did. I love you so much. I will selfishly miss you always, but I know you are happy and are with me in a deeper way- in my heart. I hope to work remotely as hard as you did to make this world a better place. I know our love is eternal and you will never truly leave me.
Jo Ann Stone
June 22, 2005
Syd Riggs influenced many young people at Orem High School. I was secretary to the counselors for many years and Syd was a joy to talk to whenever she was in our office. She also gave many students an education in theater that they could never receive anywhere else.
I enjoyed attending as many of her productions as possible.
She and Jerry Elison are two teachers who will never be forgotten or fully replaced.
Jo Ann Stone
Monta Rae Jeppson
June 22, 2005
Syd's family
I was shocked to read about Syd's death. Please accept our sympathy. I have known Syd since she owned the Christmas Store in the mall. I bought a whole Christmas village from her and have since followed and attended her plays over the many years of production. She will be greatly missed and it will be hard to fill her shoes. It won't be the same without her. There will be a definite void. Our condolances.
Michael Benjamin
June 22, 2005
Adrian & Heather - My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. May the Lord bless and comfort you.
Adrian - I still have fond memories of working with you in the KMB on the tech crew for Living Legends and Young Ambassadors. It is obvious that your mother had a great influence on your love for the performing arts. God bless.
Scott Clark
June 22, 2005
Syd - I love and miss you! Thank you for seeing past my weaknesses to bring my strengths to light.
Dennis & Family - I am thinking of you and praying for your peace.
Luke & Olivia Stoddard/Hutchinson
June 22, 2005
Take care Syd, you will be missed.
Nathan Criman
June 22, 2005
Syd and the Riggs family have been an important part of the educational and community theatre family. Her smile and huge heart will be missed, but her impressions will live on, and the family's influence on young lives will be the legacy.
Christopher Lynn
June 22, 2005
Syd left us fantastic memories, changed individuals, and her great family. See you later, Syd.
Paul and Dixie Reynolds
June 22, 2005
Dear Riggs Family,
We are so sorry for your loss - Syd is a wonderful person, a great influence and a light to all who knew her. She blessed many lives and especially the lives of her students. I know from first hand, my son’s life and what he wants to be in life was and still is being shaped by her influence. She is so talented, so positive, so energetic, so fun to be around that it rubs off on others. I am sure that the Lord has given her an assignment already with those who need to benefit from her talents. Dear family, we pray that the Lord will comfort you during this time of need and pour out blessings to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. (Syd, you will be greatly missed!)
Love, Paul and Dixie Reynolds
Ron Simpson
June 22, 2005
Syd, I treasure the times I was able to work with you, talk with you, travel with you. You made everyone around you richer, more thoughtful. Our best to the family in this time of great unexpected loss. Love Ron and Maisa Simpson
Rosanna Ungerman
June 21, 2005
Syd:
You will be missed. Thank you for being a positive influence in my life, and in the lives of so many. A great listener and friend, always loved a good joke, and a theatre story even better, you gave generously and selflessly and will be remembered by so many as a passionate and artistic spirit. You have made a difference for good!
Kimberly Christensen
June 21, 2005
Syd I will miss you, I was sad to hear about your passing.. But I know that you are up with my Dad and Dee orchestrating a wonderful production... As my dad always said and is so true.. " Rivers belong where they can ramble, Eagels belong where they can fly, I've got to be where my spirit can run free, got to find my corner of the sky" I know syd found her's.. I will miss you!!
Chris Elison
June 21, 2005
Dear Riggs Family,
So sorry for your loss which is really a loss to the whole community. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rachelle, Marray & T'naiha Ellis
June 21, 2005
Syd was a wonderful person and a great director. We will miss her very much! Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.
Philip Himberg
June 21, 2005
All of us at Sundance will miss Syd more than we can possibly say. She was our bridge to this beautiful and spiritual community. Her passion and humor for theatre will forever be with me. I remember sitting under the stars at the Eccles Stage at Sundance and seeing Syd's eyes fill with tears at a particularly moving moment of a play. She was a theatre person through and through.
A memorial will be held for Syd on Sunday, July 10th at the Eccles Stage at Sundance at 3:00pm. All our love goes to the Riggs' family.
Philip Himberg
Producing Artistic Director
Sundance Institute Theatre Program
Charlotte Touati
June 21, 2005
All of Syd's friends at Orem High School will miss her. I loved working with Syd. Her connection with you was instantaneous and warm. Whenever we found moments to sit and talk in the faculty room, she would make me laugh. Her humanity and joy were wonderful. My sincerest regrets go to all her family. She loved life so much and lived it so bravely!
thomas king
June 21, 2005
such a great person----she will be missed
tom & yvonne king
Alan Enke
June 21, 2005
Dennis, Marnie and I feel terrible about Syd. She was a wonderful light in all of our lives. I can hear her voice and laughter and can see her never ending smiles. We love you. Alan and Marnie
Brent Elison
June 21, 2005
A great loss to her family and friends, not to mention, the Utah community theater scene. She was always a great and valued friend to my father, mother and our family. Sincerest condolences to the Riggs family.
Matthew Allen
June 21, 2005
I know that she has impacted several peoples lifes, and that that she has had a posistive influence on my life through her children. Thank you for all the laughs, and the fun. Love Matthew Gold Allen
Toby Bullock
June 21, 2005
You're off to direct some heavenly shows I'll bet - - Let's hope God doesn't have budget constraints! I'll miss you Syd.
Sam and Kim Falkner
June 21, 2005
WE LOVE YOU SYD
Our thoughts and many prayers are with you all.
Alysa Phillips
June 21, 2005
Syd helped me build a foundation fit to stand on, in both the spiritual realm and the academic world. Thank you.
Angie Boyle King
June 21, 2005
I am so grateful for my friendship with Syd Riggs. She was full of light and love and had the ability to find beauty in everything. She was such an amazing listener and I will miss visiting her at lunch during the school year for our little chats. My kids would run around her classroom making messes and she would only comment on how "fabulous" they were. Syd is a part of who I am and who most of us are who know her. She is one of my best friends and I know that my friendship with her is a friendship she shares with many other students and colleagues. My prayers are with the incredible Riggs family who I also love and hope to continue friendship with for many years to come.
Coleen Toone
June 21, 2005
Sydney, the world will not be the same without you, my friend. Thank you for the magic you gave so many, the light you brought into so many lives and the love you so freely gave. You made your friends a part of your family. My heart aches because I won't see you again or chat with you again or laugh with you again in this life. But I will some day. Until then...I love you,dear friend.
Ashley Wilkinson Neves
June 21, 2005
To say you will be missed is too simple. You will be longed for, and we will ache because we must continue on without you.
Thank you.
Syds Friends
June 21, 2005
We love you and are missing you.
Kathryn (Kate) Bartholomew
June 21, 2005
I won’t try to express the disbelief and loss I feel at this moment, particularly because I believe that everyone who knows Syd has this emotion in common. Just know that my loving thoughts are with you, Riggs Family, as well as with the myriad friends, colleagues and strangers who must feel so bereaved at this time. I was fifteen or sixteen when I first worked with Syd (at Orem High School) in 1985-86. It was thrilling – we were actually IN Fiddler on the Roof with she and Neil Barth playing Golda and Tevye. And she, along with Neil Barth and Jerry Elison (love you “Jelison”), gave me the chance to put the shy, shy child in me aside for moments here and there and feel what it was like to tell stories through art and music. I did the first work I was truly proud of with Syd’s help – competition one-act plays as a junior and as a senior. They were very challenging pieces, but I remember how gratifying it was to work so hard. But I must say that probably my fondest memories of the play that Janae Koralewski Thomas and I did junior year didn’t have anything to do with the performance. We were rehearsing in the auditorium, a particularly emotional passage if I believe, and we hadn’t received any instruction for a suspiciously long time. We cautiously peeked out in the audience, and there they were sitting smack dab in the center of the auditorium – she and Jerry – heads thrown back – fast asleep and SNORING. We just sat and waited for a while to see how long it would take them to wake up. I could swear that when Syd finally did awake she promptly mumbled something like, “That was good – let’s do it again.” Yes, that SNORE. Believe it or not, I will always remember that snore with fondness. It serenaded us to sleep on numerous road trips to California (to see the big spectacle shows). On such trips she, and sometimes Dennis, introduced groups of friends to wonderful places: The Huntington Gallery, The J. Paul Getty Museum (in its old home), and many other sites I’d have never known otherwise. For more than a decade I was constantly in Syd’s company, along with so many dear friends. There were all those summer shows at the Scera Shell that she or Jerry directed, “community” shows in the (old) OHS Little Theatre, shows at the now defunct Backstage Dinner Theatre, shows that we took to the Murray Amphitheater and shows we took to education week at BYU. I had the privilege of working at D.C. Riggs, Ltd./Christmastime, for several years during its classiest incarnation. Syd also gave me the rewarding chance to “give back” after I graduated from high school, coaching Shakespeare scenes for competition and the like. I must say, as I’m sure hundreds of others can and will, that Syd gave me opportunities to play parts that I sure no one else would have imagined for me. Who else would have thought I could play Fastrada (yes – with several pages of dance break cut out, but still DANCING), or cast the eternal soprano (and whitest woman in the world) as Helena Landless (thank you for confirming my love of my range below middle C), or, most amazing of all, casting me as YOUNGER than myself for the only time in my life (in Meet Me in St. Louis )? Thank you also for the two chances as "Antonia" in Man of La Mancha and the opportunity to play the Stepmother in Into the Woods , the privilege of being in that amazing production of Les Miserables in Concert , the chances to run lights, the chances to be assistant to the director, the opportunity to be assistant stage manager, and the countless opportunities to play the small parts (if you don’t believe you learn a lot from playing small parts or “just being in the chorus” you are seriously missing out). Thank you for being my voice (literally) as "Morgan le Fay" in Camelot when I had laryngitis during education week; I still can’t believe we pulled that off. Thank you, especially, for thinking of me the following summer and letting me step into my dream role, albeit backstage with two hours notice (coming from Salt Lake), when Janae had laryngitis during The Secret Garden . To watch backstage for those two performances as my voice came out of a beautiful, petite blond; perhaps this is the best way to play Lily. Most importantly, I owe to Syd the lesson that people of all ages and backgrounds can become dear friends. She treated everyone as a peer and a colleague – never condescending, never judging, always and forever loving. I haven’t had the chance to see Syd much in the past few years, but I will miss her nonetheless; she was such an important part of my life. I love you, Syd! Secret Garden keeps running through my head. Perhaps this is something Syd might say: How could I know I would have to leave you?
How could I know I would hurt you so?...
How could I ever know? How could I ever know?
How could I know I would never hold you?
Never again in this world, but Oh -
Sure as you breathe, I am there inside you.
How could I ever know? How could I ever know?
Marissa Smith
June 21, 2005
Syd always made each of us feel important, like each part was so essential to the story. I will miss everything about her. Love you Syd...Marissa
Rex Kocherhans
June 21, 2005
Add my name to the list of people whose life Syd profoundly influenced. We love you and will miss you Syd!
Laurel & Robert Barham
June 21, 2005
Syd, we will miss you. Thanks for being such a great friend and mentor. Your memory and what you've taught us will always be in our hearts.
Emily Williams
June 21, 2005
I only met her once, and she made me feel like family. I love her daughter Katie and consider her my sister. Thanks to Elliott for bringing all these wonderful people into our lives. May we continue to make great memories.
Ron and Pam Lee
June 21, 2005
Dear Dennis and family,
As I am sure that many have stated, we were stunned by the news of Syd's passing. She was a most delightful person and I know loved by all that knew her. The influence that she has made on so many young people will be so greatly missied. I know I spoke to a young man in our student ward, Jeff Reynolds that said that Syd shaped his future and who he wanted to be. I know there are so many others that feel the same way. We pray that the Lord will comfort you in all of your needs of sorrow and health. If there is anything we can help you with please don't hesitate to ask. Love Ron and Pam Lee
Susan Hansen
June 21, 2005
My prayers go to all those who bear this loss. May you find comfort in knowing that so many care.
Nathan Wright
June 21, 2005
I was dumbfounded to hear about Syd's passing. What a blessing and honor it is to know this fine individual. As a student at Orem High I was privileged to work with her on Drama Council as well as in several productions. She cared. She laughed. She counciled. She inspired. She will continue to inspire throughout eternity. My heart goes out to her wonderful family. May the windows of heaven pour down blessings and comfort upon you during this heart sick time. I will always be grateful to have known Syd. She will be missed but the shows will go one because that is how she would have it. Thanks Syd!!
Katie Riggs
June 21, 2005
I love you
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These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
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