Harriet Wheatley Riggs

In Loving Memory of Harriet Wheatley Riggs
Harriet Wheatley Riggs, beloved by many, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2024 at the age of 104. A stream of friends and family surrounded her in her final days. Harriet lived a life filled with love, laughter, and profound impact. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Harriet was a gifted writer, gardener, cook, and had a passion for Vermont history, notably Richmond history. She cherished her family and her Richmond town community. She will be missed by many.
Harriet was born in Rutland,Vermont, on June 4,1919, daughter of Mary (Markolf) and Ernest Wheatley. Harriet was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Heath K. Riggs, daughter, Linda Riggs Abbott, and brother, Donald Wheatley and his wife Carol. She leaves behind her loving family: son-in-law David Abbott of Montpelier, (husband of Linda), their daughter Sarah and David Murphy of WI, and their children, Luke and Grace; Bruce and Melanie Riggs of N.Y. and their children Aaron and Chelsea Riggs of N.Y. and their children, Isla and Kit; Marcail and Drew Rodgers of CT and their son Eirnin; Kent and Helen Riggs of VT, and their children Ryan Riggs of OR, Evan Riggs and Heidi Smith of OR and their sons, Sage and Jameson, Alicia and Jordan Goodwin of VT and their son Cooper, her cousin and dear friend Becky Reynolds of Lyndonville, VT and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Harriet attended Chester High School and was salutatorian of her class. She took a gap year as she couldn't afford to go to college right off and took postgraduate courses at Chester High School. Harriet was awarded the Cotting Memorial Scholarship which was presented to one New England girl. This scholarship paid all her expenses at the University of MA Amherst for one year. She continued her education at the University of MA Amherst and worked her way through college as an assistant cook at the sorority house, cleaning silver for the dean of women, and worked with the state nutritionist testing recipes for her. Harriet graduated with a BS degree in Home Economics in 1941. She belonged to Alpha Lambda, Local Chapter E Sorority and kept in touch with many members by participating in a Round Robin Letter group for more than 75 years.
Harriet met her husband Heath at a University of Vermont sugar and snow party in March of 1942. By August of that year they got engaged, and were married on Feb 6,1943 in Montpelier, VT. They were married 68 years. Having a love of travel, Harriet and Heath took their family and sometimes a neighbor's child on tent-camping vacations all over North America. Together, they visited all 50 states, all Canadian provinces and several foreign countries. In their golden years, they wintered in Treasure Island, FL. Harriet continued to fly to Florida at the age of 99 and was still organizing Florida reunions for the various friends she and Heath had made over decades of vacationing there. Many of these friends traveled long distances from out of state and out of the country to attend her 100th Birthday celebration back home in Vermont.
Early in their marriage, while Heath worked on his doctorate at the University of Chicago, Harriet worked at the Cereal Institute to support the family. She had a job offer to test recipes for a cookbook but knew that once the book was published her job would be done. So instead she took a job as a food writer for the Cereal Institute and wrote about breakfast cereals. She wrote news releases and magazine articles. She was promoted to Assistant Home Economics Director and tested recipes even after she retired. She became a freelance writer coming back home to VT in 1953. She would have her own byline and wrote over 300 feature articles for the Burlington Free Press. She loved writing about unknown people who did interesting things. She has been published in many periodicals, was a photographer and author; freelance writer for local and national publications: Vermont Life, Adirondack Life, Yankee magazine, and Christian Science Monitor. Harriet published a story in Highlights for Children Magazine "The Elephant Who Cried Real Tears" winning a national award by National Pen Women. Harriet also wrote an article "Cooking on Six Cylinders" that was published in Travel Magazine based on a true experience with her family. While living in Pleasant Hill, CA she and her family traveled to Los Angeles and cooked a pot roast on the car's manifold as an experiment. This experience inspired her to write the article which was later published.
Harriet and Heath returned to Richmond, Vermont to raise their three children, Linda, Bruce, and Kent. Harriet was very active in her Richmond Community. She served as a 4-H Leader for Richmond area youths under the UVM Extension Service for many years, specializing in Foods and Home Economics. In 1957, at age 40, she was named Mrs. Vermont based on Community Service and her work as President of the Richmond Parent Teacher Association. For over 69 years she was a member of the Richmond Congregational Church and was the first female Deacon. Harriet was a founding member of the Richmond Historical Society, served as an Old Round Church Guide and was the Richmond Town Historian for many years. Harriet, with others, was the author of the book, Richmond VT, A history of More Than 200 Years.
Harriet was very compassionate and believed in helping others. Harriet supported many charities and those in need. In their earlier years Harriet and Heath hosted many foreign exchange students. She is "Mom" to Prem Dhotre of Nepal and remained in touch with Cecil Caruth of Tobago.
Harriet had a zest for life! She may have departed from this world, but her love and impact will endure eternally in the hearts of those she touched. Rest in peace, Mom. You will forever be remembered and cherished.
A celebration of Harriet's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Richmond Congregational Church 20 Church St. Richmond,VT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity at 300 Cornerstone Drive Suite 335 Williston, VT 05495 and/or the UVM Extension Services-State Office College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Morrill Hall-146 University Place Burlington, VT 05405 in Harriet's honor. We want to thank the staff at Bayada Hospice and the aides and nurses at Mansfield Place Assisted Living for their care and love for Harriet over the last few months.