Obituary of Jean Ellen Riggs

Jean Ellen Riggs, born 9/20/1935, died 8/16/2019. Wife to Robert R.Riggs, who passed on just one month before her. Cherished mother of Roxanne Riggs and Robert Scott Riggs and his wife Rita. Loving Aunt to Richard and Ronald Worth, Michelle Dies, and Mike Madden. Jean was raised in Dearborn, MI, where she attended school until college age. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in teaching. She married Robert soon after and raised her children in Westland and Farmington, MI. Jean always kept wonderful gardens and was very interested in herbal plants. Upon moving to Commerce Twp, MI to a ten acre farm in the late 70's, she and the family established Sunshine Farm and Garden, a retail greenhouse and shop devoted to herbs and dried flowers. Jean taught many classes in wreath making and lectured on herbs around the entire area for 40 years. She was a wonderful lecturer, and enjoyed teaching. The farm had visitors from many states and became very well known. Jean also wrote for botanical publications including Michigan Gardener. Jean loved Morgan Horses and raised them together with Roxanne, under the prefix of SFG Morgan Horses for over 40 years. Many fine young horses were foaled at the farm and sold all over the U.S. and overseas. She really liked to trail ride on her horses Velvet and Michael. Five years ago, Jean moved to Tawas City, MI, where she had spent many wonderful summers at the family cottage during her youth. She longed for the days spent on Lake Huron, beachcombing the shoreline for Petoskey stones and watching the waves. An avid bird lover, Jean always had many bird feeders in the backyard and attracted so many to her yard. She loved her dogs and cats, and will be missed by all.