M. Margaret Riggs

Margaret Riggs was a woman with a generous heart. From her earliest days she lived to serve others in ways both great and small. Margaret had a keen interest in knowing her past but through the love she showed her children, she affected future generations in such a profound way. One of Margaret’s favorite places to be was at her kitchen table – always willing to help with homework or lend a listening ear.

The twenties were a prosperous time in America when jobs were plentiful and hearts were a bit carefree. Jazz music was hot while people flocked to see shows such as An American in Paris on Broadway, and radio networks were born. It was on December 8, 1925 that W. Karl and Gertrude (Hendrickson) Knapp were celebrating the birth of their daughter, Margaret, in Three Rivers, Michigan. Margaret was the second of four girls in her family, but by the end of the 1920’s the Great Depression had crept in and blanketed our nation like a thick layer of snow. These tough times remained throughout the thirties and in some cases, even beyond. Margaret was raised in the family home in Three Rivers with her grandparents living right next door.

There were traits that were developed in Margaret during her formative years which would follow her throughout her entire life. She had a natural talent for organizing things, and also began volunteering for a number of causes. Margaret was a voracious reader, especially of fictional works. During her high school years she was active in a singing group called the Double Sharp Club. She even remained close with the other girls in the group for the rest of her life.

It was also while Margaret was in high school that she met the young man who would forever hold a special place in her heart. His name was Kenneth Riggs and they dated while she was in high school. Their budding romance was soon put on hold when he enlisted in the Navy and served during WWII. During his absence, Margaret worked at the Abstract Office in Centerville. Upon his return the sweethearts were married on December 29, 1945 in Three Rivers. The young couple soon moved to Kalamazoo where Kenneth attended classes at Western Michigan University while Margaret took a job in the advertising department at the Shakespeare Company where she remained for the following six years. They purchased their first home at Miles and Dale in Milwood’s “Golden Triangle” neighborhood located just to the south of Kalamazoo.

The couple was thrilled when they were blessed with the births of three children beginning in the early fifties: Randy, Martha, and Laurie. Margaret fully embraced her role as a mother and was active in the lives of her children in many ways. She often helped them with their homework and her children always knew that they were welcome to join her at the kitchen table where she read her books. Through the years Margaret’s children, nieces, nephews and friends spent many precious moments with her gathered around that table as she loved listening and giving ideas.

Margaret’s children were not the only recipient of her kind heart as she also touched the lives of many others. When her children were a bit older she went back to work at the Shakespeare Company, but then during the seventies she worked at the Specialized Language Development (SLD) Center in Kalamazoo. Here Margaret was able to promote the center’s vision which includes helping children with unique learning styles to reach their full potential. Margaret was also instrumental in developing a preschool at one time, and she also served as both a den mother and a Girl Scout leader. She additionally volunteered at the Community Access Center in Kalamazoo where she worked with cameras and also did some editing. Margaret was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo where she served as a Sunday school teacher, Women’s Society and with other groups affiliated with the church as well. Perhaps it was her love for books that led Margaret to volunteer with the Ladies Library Association.

There were some additional activities that Margaret enjoyed from time to time. The monthly ladies group at church was part of her regular regimen, and so was researching her genealogy. Margaret would do her research and then visit cemeteries to see the resting places of relatives. She traveled with her husband including to Hawaii. Margaret also planned trips to the East Coast or other fun-filled destinations with her children. She liked listening to the music that was so popular during her youth, big band music, and she also enjoyed watching the classics on either the Hallmark Channel or Turner Network Television. Margaret loved musicals - even traveling to Chicago to see one on occasion.

Whether she was spending some time with her friends, opening the doors of learning for a child, or working the camera in a local studio, Margaret Riggs did everything with just the right amounts of kindness and grace. She enjoyed traveling and shedding light on the lives of her past family members, but some of Margaret’s most treasured moments were spent with others around her kitchen table. She was such a sweet lady who brought happiness to so many around her. Margaret’s loved ones always held tight to the delightful woman they were blessed to love for so many years. Now in her death, Margaret will be dearly missed.

M. Margaret Riggs of Kalamazoo died on October 19, 2009 at her residence. Margaret’s family includes her 3 children; Randy (Julie) Riggs of Vicksburg, Martha Riggs in San Diego, CA, Laurie Nichols of Lexington, KY, 2 grandchildren; Drew (Faith) Nichols, Emily (Michael) Stephens and one sister, Janeth Ream of Ann Arbor. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, 2 sisters; Kathryn Birkhold and Barbara Luegge Behrends. A memorial service to honor her life will take place on Saturday, 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church followed by light refreshments in the parlor at the church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory or photo, sign her guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. Arrangements by the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home – Kalamazoo, MI, 6080 Stadium Drive 375-2900.