Helen Newcomb Riggins

Helen (Virginia) Newcomb Riggins died June 29th, 2019, at the age of 97 at her home in Long Beach CA. She was born March 13, 1922 to Gewin and Ada Espe Newcomb in Redlands CA. She grew up in Yucaipa, CA where her father grew fruit trees. She attended the University of Redlands where she met her future husband, George Emmett Riggins, Jr. She and George married March 18, 1944 in Austin TX where he was stationed after being drafted during WWII. Helen returned to University, graduating with a BA in Business Administration in 1947. Throughout WWII Helen accompanied George to his many stateside posts.

After WWII they settled in Long Beach where Helen worked as a secretary at what is now California State University, Long Beach, until the birth of their first daughter, at which time she devoted herself to raising her two daughters. She took great pride in her garden, canning and freezing much of the excess produce she grew, and making jams and jellies from her fruit trees, grapevine and berry canes.

When George started his own business, Helen supported him by assuming the clerical and office duties involved in self-proprietorship. In later years Helen supported her husband through his three terms as Masonic Lodge Master. She and George found pleasure in pursuing the genealogy of their respective families, spending many an hour in libraries and court houses, as well as attending family reunions.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, George. She is survived by her daughters Elizabeth (Bob) Soukup and Ann (Tom) Williams and her three grandchildren, Jennifer Soukup, Chris Williams and Sarah Williams.

The family is grateful for the services of Remita Hospice and the care services of Cristina's Private Caregivers.

Service arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice or the donor's charity of choice. Interment will be at the Riverside National Cemetery in the same vault in which Helen's husband of 72 years is interred.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401