Mary Patricia Rigano

Mary was born on March 17, 1925, in Freehold, NJ to Frank and Mary Vesey. She was the ninth of twelve children and grew up in Bay Shore, Long Island, NY and graduated from Bay Shore High School in 1944.

Mary graduated from The New York Foundling Nursing School and became a Baby Nurse. Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life and married Joseph Rigano in 1950 and started their family. They moved to Hicksville on Long Island in 1954 and happily raised four children in the midst of many activities associated with school, church, and being active within the community. Joe's company Neptune afforded them the opportunity to move to Houston in 1971.

Leaving family and friends was not easy, but new friends and eventually new family made Houston the Riganos' new home. Mary, a resident of Sharpstown, was a member at St. Francis de Sales for 46 years where she did some volunteer work. She was also a member of The Catholic Daughters of the Americas for well over 50 years.

Mary, known to many as Mary Pat, was the proud matriarch of the Vesey family and the Houston Rigano family. She lived for family gatherings, spending time with her granddaughter, going on family trips to Italy, and thoroughly enjoyed casino trips, shopping, all things Irish, card games, dominoes, and was a fan of the Cougars, Astros, Rockets, and Texans. In her more active years, she was an avid golfer and bowler.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph and son Patrick.

She is survived by her son Joseph (Laura), daughter Bettianne (Peter), son Daniel, granddaughter Gina (Felix), her beloved brothers Thomas (Shirley) and Eugene (Patricia), along with countless other family including all of her beloved nieces and nephews and her many wonderful friends.

Mary's greatest joy was her family. With her loving, spunky spirit, she was the life of every party and will be forever missed and loved. No party will ever be the same without her, especially her annual birthday party on St. Patrick's Day at The Shamrock!

The family wishes to thank the wonderful and caring doctors and nurses at and affiliated with Houston Methodist Hospital as well as express an appreciation towards the assistance and friendship of Leslie and Donna who were invaluable during these last seven months.

Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, August 17, 2017 from 5pm - 9pm at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home and a Rosary to be recited at 7pm. A celebratory Mass will be held on Friday, August 18, 2017 at 10am at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 8200 Roos Rd., Houston, TX 77036 with Father Wayne Wilkerson presiding. A reception will follow in the church community center. Inurnment will be a private service for family at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery.

She is now joyfully reunited in eternal life with her husband, Joseph, and her son, Patrick.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Gathering Place or the charity of your choice.