Barbara A. Riggs

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Barbara A. Riggs, 80, died Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center, Providence. She was the beloved wife of William J. Riggs, Jr. with whom she celebrated just shy of 60 wonderful years of marriage.

Born in Providence, the youngest of eight children of the late John (Jack) and M. Josephine (Walsh) McGrath, Barbara devoted her life to her loving husband, her adoring family and painting in the style of the Old Masters. She was a passionate and accomplished artist whose work earned her an invitation to paint at the Louvre in Paris.

In addition to her painting she loved to travel, spending time in Europe and sailing with her husband on their boat through the Caribbean, Florida, and New England. She loved spending summers with her young family at their beach house in Bonnett Shores, sailing, golfing, playing tennis and skiing. She was exceedingly elegant and irrepressibly joyous. Barbara had large group of wonderful friends who brought immense pleasure to her life. She was a member of the Fort Myers Art Club, The Warwick Country Club, and The Landings, as well as a past member of the Providence Art Club and the Handicraft Club. Along with having a long time home in Warwick Neck, she and her husband Bill have been residents of Fort Myers, Florida for the past 22 years.

She is survived by her children: Cyndi Macliver (John) of Warwick, William J. Riggs, III (Karen) of South Kingstown, Susan Collier (the late Glen Collier, David Fox) of Warwick, and Douglas Riggs (Lexie) of East Greenwich; three sisters: Elizabeth Perry of Warwick, Frances Martin and Jean Staples of Attleboro, MA, two brothers: John McGrath of Attleboro, MA and Edward McGrath of Cranston. She was the loving grandmother of eight grandchildren: Ashley McMullan (Keegan), Kristin Macliver (Kyle Grainey), Austin Collier, Alexandra Collier, Michelle Riggs, Kyle Riggs, Katelyn Riggs, and Amy Riggs, two great grandchildren: Owen Grainey and Avery McMullan, two step-grandchildren: Jay Macliver and Taryn Smith, and four step-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by siblings James McGrath and Hope Faust.

Funeral Monday at 8:30 a.m. from Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick. Mass of Christian burial at St. Kevin’s Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick at 10 a.m. Calling hours Sunday 3-6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904 are appreciated. Remembrances may be shared online at carpenterjenks.com