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Meghan Rifenberg Obituary
Meghan E. Rifenberg, 23, of Niles passed away Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, due to injuries sustained in an accident.
She was born into this world, six minutes after her twin sister, Mariah, to Paul and Cheryl (MacDonald) Rifenberg on Dec. 14, 1997, in South Bend, Ind.
Meghan has been a kind soul her entire life; always looking out for others and taking time with anyone who was in need of a friend. She graduated from St. Joseph High School, Class of 2016, where she ran cross country for several years. Meghan also studied at several local colleges expanding her knowledge in a variety of areas.
She was currently employed at Froehlich's Kitchen and Pantry Restaurant in Three Oaks. While working at Froehlich's, Meghan, a coffee and wine enthusiast, was able to expand her knowledge and share that with others.
Meghan was passionate about conservation and found great enjoyment in everything the outdoors had to offer her; whether it was the wind blowing in her face on her daily runs or traversing trails where she could lose herself in a long hike.
Music was another language that spoke to Meghan's heart; not only did she listen to a diverse assortment of genres and artists, she even taught herself to play the violin by ear. Meghan was a fantastic mother to her cats: Ponyo, Rainn and Codsworth.
Meghan is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents: Bud and Ruth Rifenberg; her maternal grandfather, John MacDonald, and her beloved cat, Conti.
Meghan leaves to cherish her memory her father, Paul (Karen) Rifenberg of Niles; her mother, Dr. Cheryl MacDonald-Armstrong (Dr. Tom Armstrong) of St. Joseph; her siblings: Mariah Rifenberg (Kimmie Staggs) of Buchanan, David Neumann (Jessica Lynch) of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Nicholas (Kim) Neumann of St. Joseph, Danica (Brian) Shier of Edwardsburg, Pauline (Shane) Harris of Edwardsburg, Tosca Rifenberg (Leshun Terry) of Kalamazoo, Mich., Arlene Colwander of Warren, Mich., Ian Armstrong of Lombard, Ill., Rachael and Jessie Armstrong of St. Joseph, Jessica Barker (John Gard) of Portage, Mich., Donald III (Ann) Barker of Edwardsburg, Laura (Anthony) Borsa of Bourbon, Ind., and Lisa (Scott) Saunders of Niles; her grandmother, Kathryn "Lee" MacDonald (Robert Kerns) of Buchanan as well as a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and countless lives she has touched.
Meghan will be greatly missed by her boyfriend and partner, the love of her life, W. Maxwell Wilson of Niles. The two of them were inseparable and had experienced a lifetime of love in their five years together.
A time for family and friends to gather will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at Brown Funeral Home with an interment to follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Meghan to Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Road, Niles, MI 49120; or to Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Drive, South Bend, IN 46614.
Memories and photos may be shared with Meghan's family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.
Meghan will be remembered for her kindness, free spirit and love for everyone she came in contact with. Our lives have been changed for the better by hers.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Meghan Rifenberg
1 Entry
Lyn Swetish Froning
August 18, 2021
"There is a pain--so utter--it swallows substance up-" Emily Dickinson wrote in an early poem that must certainly describe a parent's loss of a child. My deepest sympathy and heartfelt sorrow go to you, my cousins, Cheryl, the mother of Meghan, and John and Frankie, her uncles. I am comforted that you have so many family and friends around you to help you through this catastrophic event. I didn't know Meaghan but her photograph has so much of your beauty, lightness, and sparkle, Cheryl, that I felt a connection, regardless. Love is with you.
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Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Niles521 E. Main Street, Niles, MI 49120
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