Rita B. Rigney

May 26, 1930 - Feb. 1, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Rita Barbara Rigney passed away suddenly but with family by her side on Wednesday afternoon, February 1st, 2012. She was welcomed by her husband, son and large family. Rita was born the tenth of eleven children to Joseph and Harriet (Jadwiga) Sobecki Starczewski, while the St. Adalbert's church bells chimed 6 PM on May 26, 1930. Rita grew up in the heart of South Bend's West Side Polish neighborhood in the home her parents shared for 59 years. She attended St. Adalbert's grade school where she learned English, as only Polish was spoken at home. She then graduated from South Bend Catholic High School in 1948. She was a school cheerleader and enjoyed the Drama Club. On May 1st, 1954, she married William P. Rigney in St. Adalbert's Church in a Polish May Day ceremony. A beloved marriage of 53 years followed before Bill passed away on September 29th, 2007. Rita is survived by two daughters, Mary Pat (Rick) Sapp of Indianapolis, IN, and Peggy (Jim) Roederer of Fishers, IN; and a son, James F. (Rhonda) Rigney of Mishawaka, IN. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, William "Billy" P. Rigney Jr. on April 30, 1965. There are eight grandchildren who meant the world to her: Kathleen (D.J.) Mote of Madison, IN, Joseph P. Sapp of Indianapolis, IN, Zachary S. and Dane W. Rigney of Fishers, IN, J. Tyler Rigney of Erie, PA, Elizabeth R. and Michael D. Roederer of Bloomington, IN, and J. Quinn Roederer of Fishers, IN. There is one great-granddaughter, Hunter Kathleen Mote of Madison, IN. Rita was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Joseph, Leonard, Benedict, Walter, Hillary and Arthur; and by her four sisters, Geraldine Walowski, Bridget Norman, Loretta Pulaski and Delphine Kaczmarek. Many loving nieces and nephews will miss her. Rita cherished and dearly loved her neighbors, most of whom have lived side-by-side with her for over 50 years. They deeply cared for and continuously looked out for each other. Mom loved to go "porching" and visit with all her special neighbors when the weather was warm. Special heartfelt thanks are extended to Bill and Dianna Sorukas, Norm and Erna Woltman, Nancy Woltman, Tom and Mary Viner, and James and Carrie Bridgeman. Thank you to her special caregiver, Nicole Paraham. Mom loved her St. Joe Indians and the Fighting Irish. She would listen to the games the old-fashioned way, on the radio, if she could not attend the games. Mom also loved her trips to the Blue Chip Casino with her neighbors, who were faithful in taking her with them. Mom and Dad were founding members of St. John the Baptist Church and longtime members of the University Club. Visitation with the family will be at St. John the Baptist Church on Saturday, February 11th, 2012, from 11 AM until 1 PM, with a Mass of Christian Burial following at 1 PM. Interment will be at Highland Cemetery at a later date. In her memory, contributions may be made to the St. Joseph's High School Scholarship Fund at 1441 N. Michigan St., South Bend, IN. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN, is handling arrangements. To send condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.