Eleanor Riggs

Eleanor Cox Riggs died on December 31, 2024 at Westminster Village in West Lafayette, Indiana.
She was born January 28, 1934 to Wilson Naylor Cox, Jr. and Dorothy Valentine Cox in Terre Haute, IN. Eleanor graduated from Wiley High School in 1951 and attended Indiana University in Bloomington, graduating with honors with an A.B. in English and History in June 1955.
On August 21, 1955, Eleanor married Wendell A. Riggs in Terre Haute. She taught school until Wendell finished IU medical school in 1958. Once Wendell graduated as an M.D., he served two years as a lieutenant medical officer in the U.S. Navy. They moved to Washington, D.C. where Eleanor taught school while Wendell completed his Navy service in a medical internship at D.C. General Hospital. This time in Washington sparked Eleanor's life-long interest in government and politics.
Dr. Riggs then received an offer from Dr. Morris Green, Dean of Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, to join the medical staff as a pediatric resident. Eleanor and Wendell returned to Indiana and remained Hoosiers their entire lives. They came to Lafayette in 1963 when Dr. Riggs joined the Arnett Clinic as a pediatrician, where he remained for 35 years. He was the Tippecanoe County Health Officer for 17 years and founded the Riggs Community Health Center in 1988. The Riggs CHC now provides medical services and dental care for thousands of underserved individuals and families. Dr. Riggs died December 20, 2013.
Eleanor was a true partner to Wendell and contributed to the entire community during her lifetime in Lafayette. She volunteered for numerous community organizations while raising three boys. She also had a life-long interest in education. Once her boys were in public schools, she enrolled in graduate classes and received a Master's degree in Social Studies Education from Indiana University in 1982.
For 34 years in her adult life, Eleanor attended Indiana University's "Mini-University" on the Bloomington campus, a week-long series of liberal arts classes designed to keep IU alums up-to-date on news, public policy, and developments in academic research. It is no exaggeration to say, she loved it. Eleanor was a proud Life Member of the Indiana University Alumni Association, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of IU, a 50 year member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, recipient of Alpha Lamba Delta (undergrad honors) and Pi Lamba Theta (education graduate honors), and a member of the Indiana University President's Circle.
In Lafayette, Eleanor was a 50 year member of the League of Women Voters, and she served on the Lafayette YMCA Board of Directors and Board of Trustees. She served on the Board of the United Way, on the Board of Directors of Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM), and she supported the Greater Lafayette Museum of Art as well as the Sheldon Swope Museum of Art in her hometown of Terre Haute.
Coming from a sports loving family, Eleanor enjoyed playing golf, bowling, ping pong, racquetball, swimming and playing cards. Other hobbies and interests were keeping up with current events, politics, movies, collecting political memorabilia (buttons, ribbons, autographs and historic Presidential campaign items), and she gave educational talks to schools, civic and governmental organizations about her political button collection and the value of being a community volunteer. Eleanor was a prime example of an "active citizen" in our democracy, including her efforts to register people to vote for 40 years.
In 1972, Eleanor was President of the Tippecanoe County Republican Women's Club. In August 1972, she was chosen as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach, FL which she attended with her husband, Wendell. She was an elected member of the Wea Township Advisory Board and Eleanor was chosen to represent the State of Indiana in the Electoral College in 1976. Eleanor and Dr. Riggs attended the Inauguration of Jimmy Carter in front row seats. This was the highlight of her political life. She also attended the Inauguration of John F. Kennedy. Eleanor received the "Salute to Women Award" for leadership in greater Lafayette government and politics.
Eleanor loved learning something new every day, often sharing the stories to anyone who would listen. Her family belonged to First Baptist Church. Eleanor taught Sunday school at First Baptist and hosted LUM Jubilee Christmas at the church for years.
Surviving are her two sons: Steven J. Riggs (Sandy) and David Cox Riggs of Lafayette; and sister-in-law Cassie (Will) Cox of West Terre Haute, IN. Also surviving are the joy of her life – 11 grandchildren: Maria Riggs Grantner (Tom) of Center Grove, IN; Amber Riggs & Melanie Riggs (Brock) of Shelbyville, IN; Emilie Riggs of Chicago, IL; Daniel Riggs of Berkeley, CA; Anna Riggs of New York, NY; Drew Riggs (Paige) of Savannah, GA; Robbie & Sam Riggs of Indianapolis, IN; Isabella Riggs of Los Angeles, CA; and Jack Wendell Riggs in Portland, OR; great-grandchildren Valentina and Vincent Grantner & Branson Sprong. Eleanor also had loving nieces, nephews, and cousins she loved and communicated with her entire life.
She was predeceased by husband Dr. Wendell A. Riggs, son Dr. Andrew C. Riggs, and her brother Will Cox.
The family visitation is from 10:00 am to 12 noon on Saturday, January 4, 2024 at First Baptist Church, 411 N. 7th St in Lafayette. A brief funeral service will begin promptly at 12 noon. Burial to follow at Spring Vale Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church or the Greater Lafayette Family YMCA, 3001 South Creasy Lane.
Tippecanoe Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to be of service to the family.