|
Danne' Ellen (Beighle) Riggins passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2018 in Mount Vernon, WA due to complications from a difficult, gracefully fought battle with cancer. The ultimate hostess to the end, among Danne's last words were, "Pull up a chair and visit". She was deeply loved by her family and friends and her passing has left a hole in many hearts.
Danne' was born and raised in Bellingham, WA to teacher parents Dan and Anne (Murray) Beighle. She and her sister Janet grew up spending time in the outdoors, frequently in the North Cascades. After graduating from the University of Washington, Danne' moved to Bakersfield, CA where she met and married William "Bill" Riggins. They returned to Washington state where they raised their two daughters, Robin and Darcy and resided for the rest of their lives.
Danne's professional life was dedicated to education with an emphasis on reading and literacy. She worked for many years at Madison Elementary, which bordered her back yard, where she made lifelong friends. Danne' also ran her own business teaching students to read.
Danne' loved being in the San Juan Islands where she enjoyed boating and camping with family friends, eating freshly caught crab and barbecued salmon (prepared salty, not sweet !), and spending hours combing the beach for agates. After many family vacations at Charlie's Guemes Island Fishing Resort, Danne' and Bill built a cabin on the island. It was her favorite place. Danne' enjoyed sharing it with her family and friends, walking the beaches, and learning to kayak in her late 70's.
Another beloved pastime was playing bridge with her long-standing bridge group, and later, every week at the Skagit Golf & Country Club. At home, it was common to find Danne' yelling at the TV ("Get him, GET him, GET HIM !!!") when the Seahawks or Huskies were not doing well, making sure the neighborhood birds were well fed, and deterring squirrels with a BB gun.
Danne' treasured time with family, especially grandchildren Sophia and Conrad, who were her pride and joy. Danne' had deep roots in the Pacific Northwest and felt strongly connected to her Scottish heritage. She greatly enjoyed tracing ancestry and keeping in touch with relatives.
Danne' and Bud Wright attended grade school together and became reacquainted after Bill's passing. They enjoyed many delightful adventures together and spent years out-funning us all - taking walks along the waterfront, going to movies, visiting friends, and eating at favorite restaurants.
Danne' was a generous and thoughtful person, always ready to offer drinks and snacks to her guests. Danne's kind nature also came with a strong will, the courage to speak her mind, and an unwavering moral compass. She will be greatly missed.
Danne' is survived by her partner, Bud Wright; daughters, Robin Mari and Darcy (Bryan) Schmidt; grandchildren, Sophia and Conrad Schmidt; sister Janet French (Bob); step-sons, Bill Riggins and Brian (Tina) Riggins; step-grandchildren, Brynn Riggins and Graeme Riggins; cousins, Gene (Dotty) Murray.
Celebration of Life service, Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 3 p.m. at the Skagit Golf and Country Club. Donations in Danne's name to Skagit Land Trust greatly appreciated.
|
Frank 'Bud' Wright
I loved my partner Danne so much, and I lost her way too soon. Frank "Bud" Wright
Frank 'Bud' Wright
The lives of Bud and Danne:
Danne and I were kids and teenagers together. We met in the 5th grade at Columbia grade school and were in school together for 8 years. We were always friends but that is as far as it went. We did play tennis together, pick up doubles at Cornwall park. Danne, unfortunately, had a boyfriend at Bellingham High and I was very shy with interests in track, tennis and academics. I have always regretted my shyness.. She graduated, went to College and then to California before returning 3 years later after marrying Bill. I went in the Marines,and worked at the family boat business in Fairhaven before returning to College. I started teaching with her parents, Dan and Anne. We did go in different directions ,but I am so thankful for our reunions. Our lives had to play out before we came back together. We married other people and raised families We grew up close together on Williams St and Lorraine Ellis court before life took us in separate directions. We also had lots 200 yards apart on Guemes Island.
We came back together on June 29, 2013 at a picnic reunion on Kitty's patio. Danne had been alone for about a year at that time. I was wondering what to do with the rest of my life, basically teaching at several colleges, hiking, playing tennis, and spending time with my family. Danne was not content to enter into the quiet life of a mournful widow. She had a zest for life and a spirit of adventure. I think both of us knew that there was always a spark between us over the years and it rekindled quickly.
Early on we went over to Guemes Island to check out her cabin, and we walked up on the bluff at Cook Cove overlooking the channel. We sat in the grass and talked for awhile and then we went silent. We communicated with just our feelings and an occasional glance. Basically we were committing to each other without talking. When we came off the bluff, we knew we would never part and we never did. Part of us will always remain on that bluff.
We started an adventure that became the best five years of both of our lives. That was verified by our families. We loved each other and were inseparable. Sure we were older, but we did not know it. To us we were like carefree kids enjoying the life that we had never known before. We had our trips, resturants, and movie theatres. The coastlines of Washington and Oregon were among our favorites. We would sit by the shore for hours watching the breakers rolling in while rejoicing in our new found happiness. She once told me, "when Bill died, God sent me you". The Lord also sent me her. Another one of our favorite places was probably Leavenworth. We would go over there during a raging forest fire with the road closing behind us or in a blizzard. We would go out walking at night during a snowstorm. When we were out there, we loved life and loved each other. The best trip we ever had was the canyon lands of Utah, Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon. The pictures show how beautiful and radiant she is.
We never gave in to the illness, and we thought we would beat it. We lived life right up the end. On our last weekend together, we were over at her country club having breakfast and watching the masters golf coverage. We watched movies at night, and we went to the open house at my old family home on Hampton Place, and visited with a whole lot of Wrights. She was in a care home in Fairhaven for awhile. Danne would complain about the effects of the illness and treatment. I usually did not engage in conversation about those things because to me she was always beautiful. I would prop up the bed and stack some pillows. We would lie there watching tv and holding hands. The nurses would come in and say, "well we don't see this every day". No they didn't.
I want to close with a story. We were over on the Olympic Penninsula at Sol duc hot springs and we kept running into a couple and talk about our lives with them. The same thing happened with another couple on a train trip to Vancouver. Everyone assumed we were married which was a logical assumption. I thought, 'do I just play along or do I tell them how we got to where we are today'. So I gave them the short version of our lives, together and apart, and together again. The women both had the same response, word for word, "that sounds like a love story". It was for us. I REALLY LOVED HER. Bud
Frank 'Bud' Wright
The illness stopped us, but we surely would have married. Bud Wright
Frank 'Bud' Wright
Danne taught me the meaning of true happiness. Bud Wright