Rebecca Jeanne (Riggins) Lonsdale was born March 10, 1944, in Peoria, Ill., to Richard and Margaret Riggins, the third of six children. She was the quintessential middle child: bold, strong-headed, kind, and vibrant.
James (Jim) Lonsdale “won” their first date in a game of poker with her brother, Ed. They married in 1963 and would go on to celebrate 57 years of marriage before Jim’s passing in 2021. They traveled the country and the world together, living in Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa, Pennsylvania, West Germany, Australia, Singapore, Washington, Kentucky, and finally settling in West Virginia. Where they didn’t live, Jim and Rebecca explored on their motorcycle. Rebecca achieved a dual degree in elementary and special education from Lock Haven University in 1980, and went on to teach special education in Penns Valley, Pa.; Frankfurt, West Germany; and Vancouver, Wash.
Always passionate for her community, Rebecca volunteered globally, with the Riding for the Disabled Association in Australia, the public theater’s costuming department in Singapore, and the FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. From her first job at Mr. Auten’s peony and gladioli fields in elementary school, Rebecca’s love for gardening bloomed perennially; most recently, she volunteered with the Cranberry Garden Club in Preston County and served as president starting in 2021. Rebecca really loved being involved with Cranberry Garden Club and her goal was to install as many Blue Star Memorial Markers throughout the county as she could.
Rebecca passed on Jan. 25, 2024; she was preceded in death by her husband and parents; in-laws, Melvin and E. Jean Lonsdale; sister-in-law, Faith Riggins; and great-niece, Emmery Rose.
She is survived by her siblings, Nancy and husband Jerry, Ed and wife Sunny, Robert, Richard, and Marian and husband Greg; as well as 10 nieces and nephews; 18 great-nieces and nephews, and five great-great-nieces and nephews; her children, Richard James and wife Tirzah, and Janet Carol and husband Timothy; her grandchildren, Johanna Marie Louise, Gwendolyn Paige, Earl James and spouse Hannah, and Maegyn Elizabeth; and her brother-in-law, Ray Jene and wife Valerie; and her nieces, Hannah Ruth and Emelia Mae.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rebecca’s name to the Cranberry Garden Club ATTN: Barbara Keller 800 Herring Rd., Kingwood, WV 26537.
A celebration of life for friends and family will be held at a later date. Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation arrangements.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
