At Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, on Sunday, August 5, 2012, Theresa Marie Rigby (nee Breen), in her 80th year, beloved wife of the late Stephen Rigby, Nobleton. Loving mother of Deirdre and George Babula, Toronto; Moire and Tony Balzan, Caledon; Sean, Padraig and Eithne Rigby, all of Nobleton and predeceased by Liam, Cailin and Siobhan. Cherished grandmother of Liam Babula; Cailin, Meaghan, Brighid, Alexa and Simon Phillips; Maire, Breandan, Anthony (deceased), Aidan, Connor and Kieran Balzan. Dear sister of Tom, Mark, Helen, Harold (Butch), Jean, Margaret and predeceased by Jim, Joe, Mary, Vera and Christina. She will be sadly missed by all of her nieces and nephews.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) Wednesday afternoon 2-4 and evening 7-9 o’clock. Funeral Mass will be held in St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 91 Church Street, Schomberg on Thursday morning, August 9 at 11 o’clock (leaving funeral home at 10:15 a.m.). Followed by cremation.
Parish prayers will be held Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Peter Breen
Theresa phoned me once and opened the conversation with the words “Its your aunt calling”. I said “Hello Mary” and she immediately retorted and I quote “The Sexy one”. I knew instantly who it was.
I will miss her sense of humour. She was the only born Canadian I knew with an Irish accent.
I’ve been told countless times how beautiful Theresa was when she was young. That’s obvious just by looking at her daughters. To me Theresa was always beautiful. She was a major player in a group of aunts and uncles that made everyone of us feel that we were special.
Pete
Catherine Kaulback
I loved my dear, sweet and fun Auntie Theresa (also affectionally known as “Biddy”) and will always cherish memories of my visits to Nobleton and hers to Vancouver. I’ve yet to meet such a strong and positive human being who faced the hardships in life with amazing fortitude and perseverance. Auntie Theresa provided me with the best advice I’ve ever received which will resonate with me forever, “don’t sweat the small stuff.” I trust that she is now re-united in heaven with her children Liam, Cailin, Siobhan and husband Uncle Stephen.
Deirdre, Moire, Sean, Padraig and Eithne, my heart goes out to you and you will be in my prayers. I am so sorry I cannot be there to commiserate with you in person,
God Bless,
Catherine
Jeremy-John Jewett
To the Rigby Family,
I had the opportunity to meet “Biddy” many times when she visited with Kevin and Harry. She was an absolutely wonderful, warm and hilarious woman. I enjoyed talking and laughing with her immensely. In fact just this past Friday, August 3rd, for some odd reason I found myself thinking about the last time I saw her in New Brunswick. I recalled the conversation we had regarding some Irish “terminology” I had read in a Paddy Clarke book. I wasn’t quite sure what a certain word meant, and she quickly clarified the meaning. It wasn’t fit to print, but I burst out laughing when she told me what it was!
Please accept my most sincere condolences at this time of loss. May the memories that you hold of her keep her forever alive in your hearts and minds. I won’t soon forget her. She was a gem and her visits with Harry and Kevin were nothing short of entertaining and fantastic.
Jeremy-John Jewett
Jillian Phillips
My deepest sympathy for the passing of a woman who was one of a kind! Loving, so funny, warm, wise, and a pleasure to have known. I spent most of my time with Biddy when she visited my brother Stephen Phillips in New Jersey. Her jokes, stories and words of wisdom will always be remembered. I will definitely miss her and I send my love to all the Rigbys. I am sure she is in heaven smiling down on all of us and she is in good company up there 🙂
Jill Phillips xoxo
Andra O'Brien (Breen)
I was always in awe of my aunt Theresa for the laughter she brought to any room she was in, despite suffering so many losses in her lifetime. She was never one to hold back a thought – she called it as it was. Her constant upbeat attitude and positive energy was always an inspiration to those around her including myself, and it is without a doubt that her vibrant personality will continue on with those who were lucky enough to have met her.
Love You
Andra
the Cole family Dublin
We are so sorry to hear of Theresas death, we never met her, but, we did meet our cousin Stephen (her husband) many times when he would come to Dublin in his reserve navy uniform. May she rest in peace now with him
DEIRDRE ANNE MURIEL AND FAMILIES from Dublin Wales and London.
Mike and Cindy Osborne
Aunt Theresa was always one of my favorites .I have many fond childhood memories and Aunt Theresa is always in them. I was truley saddened to hear of her passing and send my heartfelt condolences to the family.
The one thing that always stood out for me , is that Aunt Theresa was who she was ; what you saw is what you get. It’s a trait that I personally, truly admire.
Rest in Peace my Dear.
Karim Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. May God grant you all strength and resignation to accept his calling.
Much Love always,
The Karim Family
Kim & Ernie Bisante
Moire and Family;
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy & prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Tara MacDaniel (Cross)
To the Rigby Family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you all!. I was not as fortunate to know Aunt Theresa as well as some of my cousins, as we lived on the other side of the country for my upbringing, but what i will never forget (aside from a nail being driven threw my foot while visiting her in Ontario), is only having happy memories of Aunt Theresa. She was a no doubt a strong, classy, and spectalular woman whom everyone adored. She reminded me of i love lucy.
I have no doubt she has found peace in heaven with her children, husband, siblings, parents, and others that had predeceased her.
My prayers are with all who will miss here dearly.
Tara
The Parrotta Family
Moire & Family
Our deepest condolences to you and your family in this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rest in Peace Mrs. Rigby
Sean Ford
We want to express our sincere and deepest sympathies at this difficult time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
The Fords
Frank Farrugia
Moire, Tony and Family
Jackie and I wish your family our most sincere condolences at this time of your loss.
Frank Farrugia, Jackie Fyke and Evelyn Farrugia
Joe and Melanie Breen
We were deeply saddened to hear of Aunt Theresa’s passing. She was one of the good ones; a no-BS, straight shooter with a fantastic sense of humour. You always knew where you stood with Theresa, and I believe we are all a little better for it. I count myself lucky to have known her, if only a little.
God bless.
John & Marie Butt
To the Rigby family
There are only a few people who truly leave a lasting Impression on you. We thought the world of Theresa , and have many fond memories of your parents.
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers
Love to all
John , Marie and Leslie Butt
Wendy Ramirez
Moira, Tony and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers and know that we are there for you when needed.
God Bless,
The Ramirez Family
Suzanne Carlo & Milan Mudrinic
We did not have the pleasure of ever meeting your mother but if she is anything like you Moire she must have been a spectacular lady. Please accept our sincere and deepest sympathies to you and your family. Remember all the good things that she has done in her lifetime, smile as you remember the funny times and cherish the unconditional love that she has bestowed to all of you. May God grant all of you peace and love.
God Bless,
The Mudrinic Family
LA & Bill Palamar
We are so sorry to hear that Theresa passed away (and yup, totally surprised to learn that she was born in Canada; had always assumed that she hailed from Ireland – betcha she’s looking down from above and laughing at us!). She was always a lot of fun to be around – our thoughts are with her close friends and family at this time.
Kind regards,
LA & Bill Palamar
Mike and Lois Moore
We were so sad to read of Theresa’s passing in the Saint John newspaper yesterday, and send our deepest sympathy and condolences to all her children and extended family. We have such fond memories of time spent with Theresa and Stephen in Nobleton and at St. Mary’s Church. We will remember her with smiles, and keep all of you in our prayers.
Mike and Lois Moore
Quispamsis, NB
Sue & Warren Gerow
Our deepest sympathy to the family. Theresa was a wonderful aunt who I’m sure will have a special place in heaven. Everyone who knew her gravitated to her sassy personality and great sense of humor she will be missed! Our prayers are with you.
Cam Lindsey
To Moire , Tony and Family… Sorry, I was up north and missed hearing of your loss til now. May your wonderful memories help you through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you… Cam
Simon Phillips
Gramama was the closest to me of all my grandparents, even though unlike the others, we did not share blood.
I had the privilege of knowing her best during my childhood. I was probably around 8 or so when I met her on my first visit to Nobleton, and it wasn´t long before she established herself just about at the top of my list of awesome grown-ups. She was everything a grandmother to a kid that age should be: kind, with great sense of humour, who listened well to whatever fantastic sugar-rushed nonsensical story (many Halloweens were spent in Nobleton) was put forth to her, and who either took part in, or schemed up, hilarious gags to play goodnaturedly on others. With a few quick words she could size up any situation with a twist of comedy.
I always loved those Nobleton visits, Christmas´, Easters, Thanksgivings, Halloweens, etc., and for sure Gramama was always somewhere very near the centre of that wonderful universe.
My love and condolences to the Rigbys,
Simon
Bruce Archibald
Hi Sean,
Bruce Archibald here. I came across this article on your Mom during a search for you. I remember those days well in Riverview where after a day of running around being crazy kids (okay, admittedly exceptionally crazy kids) we would lay into one of your Mom’s delicious pies, particularly the blueberry I do recall. My Mom still speaks of the days when your Mom would drive you and your drums over to my place and set up beside our piano.
My belated thoughts for you and your family.
Look me up sometime Sean and we can speak across the years.
It has been more interesting than I ever expected.
Bruceabald