Obituary for Virginia G. Riggs
Virginia Griggs Riggs, 95, passed away October 7, 2013. She was the wife of the late Thomas Jeffries Riggs Jr. She is survived by her six children: Barbara Barrett Powers, Hugh Campbell Barrett III, Robin Rhys Riggs, Geoffrey Godwin Riggs, Rory Balfour Riggs, Merry Murray Meade, 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She was born in Paterson, New Jersey, the daughter of Daniel Griggs and Rosa Murray Butler. She graduated from Montclair High School and studied mathematics and astronomy at Case Western University.
She was one of the leading astrologers in the nation. She earned the Teacher Certificate of Proficiency in Natal Astrology, the highest honor of the American Astrology Federation. She was an editor and contributor to many important astrology books including the seminal Encyclopedia of Astrology by Marcia Moore & Mark Douglas.
She was the granddaughter of John William Griggs, former Governor of New Jersey and Attorney General of the United States under William McKinley. She was also the great niece of Nicholas Murray Butler, former President of Columbia University (1902-1948), William Howard Taft’s running mate in 1912, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.
Mrs. Riggs, known as Ginnie, will be most remembered by her family and friends as an intellect and mother. She was an avid reader and a legendary student with an incredible capacity for knowledge. Her interests ranged from the literature classics to the most current study of physics, mathematics and astronomy. And she always finished the New York Times crossword puzzle and the double acrostic with her famous green fountain pen before any of her children woke up on Sunday mornings.
When her friends and her children’s friends approached her, they understood that they were not going to be allowed the normal chit-chat. No matter which topic she chose that day, they knew that they would be challenged to talk about something real. With a great alertness to the world around her and a bounce in her step, Ginnie engaged others on a great range of topics she always had at her fingertips. To everyone around her, she was fascinating and different.
It was with this voracious appetite for knowledge and intellectual dedication that she approached astrology. Fueled by her love of mathematics and astronomy, she threw herself into this field both as a practitioner and researcher. In so doing, she rose to the highest level of achievement within the American Astrology Federation and became well known in the upper echelons of the field. Marcia Moore and Mark Douglas, pivotal astrology scholars of her time, dedicated one of their books to Ginnie. In their dedication, they called her “a superb astrologer and a cosmic intellect.”
To all who engaged with her, she was a shooting star: she gave you a fresh view on whatever topic she engaged in, and left you smarter, more curious, and more enlightened.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday at 11:30am in St. Martin’s Church, Orchard Ave. Providence. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tockwotton on the Waterfront; Home & Hospice Care of R.I.; or Special Olympics.
Memorial Service will be held Friday at 11:30am in St. Martin’s Church, Orchard Ave. Providence. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tockwotton on the Waterfront; Home & Hospice Care of R.I.; or Special Olympics.
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She was one of the leading astrologers in the nation. She earned the Teacher Certificate of Proficiency in Natal Astrology, the highest honor of the American Astrology Federation. She was an editor and contributor to many important astrology books including the seminal Encyclopedia of Astrology by Marcia Moore & Mark Douglas.
She was the granddaughter of John William Griggs, former Governor of New Jersey and Attorney General of the United States under William McKinley. She was also the great niece of Nicholas Murray Butler, former President of Columbia University (1902-1948), William Howard Taft’s running mate in 1912, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.
Mrs. Riggs, known as Ginnie, will be most remembered by her family and friends as an intellect and mother. She was an avid reader and a legendary student with an incredible capacity for knowledge. Her interests ranged from the literature classics to the most current study of physics, mathematics and astronomy. And she always finished the New York Times crossword puzzle and the double acrostic with her famous green fountain pen before any of her children woke up on Sunday mornings.
When her friends and her children’s friends approached her, they understood that they were not going to be allowed the normal chit-chat. No matter which topic she chose that day, they knew that they would be challenged to talk about something real. With a great alertness to the world around her and a bounce in her step, Ginnie engaged others on a great range of topics she always had at her fingertips. To everyone around her, she was fascinating and different.
It was with this voracious appetite for knowledge and intellectual dedication that she approached astrology. Fueled by her love of mathematics and astronomy, she threw herself into this field both as a practitioner and researcher. In so doing, she rose to the highest level of achievement within the American Astrology Federation and became well known in the upper echelons of the field. Marcia Moore and Mark Douglas, pivotal astrology scholars of her time, dedicated one of their books to Ginnie. In their dedication, they called her “a superb astrologer and a cosmic intellect.”
To all who engaged with her, she was a shooting star: she gave you a fresh view on whatever topic she engaged in, and left you smarter, more curious, and more enlightened.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday at 11:30am in St. Martin’s Church, Orchard Ave. Providence. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tockwotton on the Waterfront; Home & Hospice Care of R.I.; or Special Olympics.
Memorial Service will be held Friday at 11:30am in St. Martin’s Church, Orchard Ave. Providence. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tockwotton on the Waterfront; Home & Hospice Care of R.I.; or Special Olympics.
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