I remember when Miss Riggs started her teaching career at Woodstock Elementary. It was her first job and she moved into an apartment right across the street from us on 52nd. It was very exciting to have a teacher in the neighborhood. I am sure she did not realize then that all of her students would know where she lived and would want to stop by and and say "Hi." I did not have her as a teacher but my brother who has  now passed on was one of her students. I think she truly loved children and found a career that fit her to a "T."

I was in Ms Mona Riggs class for 5th grade at Woodstock School '67-'68 "year of the snail" and my brother Steve '62-'63 which I think was her first year.
She was a favorite of us both for her caring nature and her way of pushing us to do better both academically and socially. She never let us coast; "extra credit" was expected and shortcuts called out! We may not have appreciated this then at times but do now!
She was a friend of our school principal father and kept in touch with him for years inquiring about us and even sending gifts when my children were born.
Mona will be forever linked with Woodstock School in my mind a truly great teacher and wonderful person.

Miss Riggs, will always hold a special place in my heart. She treated with nothing but dignity and respect. I never took 1st in her daily multiplication test but I came close!!! We were the last class of Cell 31, Year of the Firefly, R.I.P Miss Riggs.

Mona Riggs has had an influence on many over the years.  For me the classroom experience started with her "taming my wild spirit".  That year was a transition for myself and the quest of learning continues throughout my life.  We started and maintained a journal and along the way learned to write in a personal way.  Prior to calculators we learned to do speed math problems and increased our speed by writing smaller.  Outside of school she roamed the neighborhood and was at baseball games while somehow being positive to everyone while multiple students were on opposing teams.   Learning to appreciate jumping rope and I can still do a one jump double turn at 70.  And a song from that era "I was Kaiser Bill's Batman" brings my memory back to that era from her class.  I find it remarkable that the ingrained memories and influences instilled by Riggs remain from 1963 and are retrieved by a catalyst like deja vu.  President Kennedy was assassinated one morning and I distinctly recall the principal coming to class, telling Miss Riggs the news, her announcement, and listening to the events on the radio.  Rest in peace Mona.   

Jeff Yarne a "Turtle" from 1963 her 3rd class at Woodstock

Miss Riggs was my best teacher ever and she was very dear. May she rest in peace.

Class of 1966/67

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Mona Linda Riggs

December 1, 1939 – November 30, 2023

Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary & Sunset Hills Memorial Park

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