Although many years have passed since I have spent time with Denise Rigney, I have fond memories of her sweet, patient presence. She has the legacy of 5 very fine sons that I have had the pleasure of getting to know in varying degrees in my life. I offer my humble condolences in this sad time of the passing of a fine Mother and special person, the likes of which in these crazy times we rarely see.

So sorry for your lost.  Denise was such a giving lady.  We have such nice memories of her in Hawthorne.  Our prayers are with all of you Rigneys.

My grandmother was one of the best women that I knew. She never had anything bad to say and was always so positive and encouraging. I feel like since I moved in with her in 2008 she has been like a mother to me and I owe her more than I could ever give her. I love you grandma.

I first met Denese when my brother Syl brought his new bride to Oklahoma to meet his family. I was about 12 yr. old and I had never seen my brother Syl hugging and kissing on a girl before. It made me uncomfortable! But from that time on she was a member of the family. You didn't say "Syl" without saying "Denese" too.
I remember Denese always being very organized and neat in everything she did. As time went by they still came to Okla. to visit the family and bring each of their 5 boys along. By the time the 5th son was born, I too was married and a mother. That was the first time I felt an equal to them. As a mother I never saw her lose her composure or her temper. We always wrote letters to one another so I always knew about her busy life as a volunteer at school, field trips, etc. She was an example and inspiration to me.
By the time they all moved back to Okla. We were not only family but best friends too. We played cards every time we got together. After we had all retired we even went on trips together.
In all the years I've known Denese I never heard her speak badly of ANYONE. That is certainly something you can't say about many people.
We will all miss Denese greatly.

Eulogy for Mary Denise Rigney

Thank you for coming to remember and celebrate the life of my mother, Mary Denise.  Mom was the perfect mom, for my brothers and I.  And as Dad has expressed, the perfect wife for him.  I'm sure this sentiment rings true for many children of their mothers.  We were truly blessed to have Denise as our mother.  All of our needs were met.  She gave us guidance and encouragement, yet also the freedom to learn our own way in life.   She nurtured us in many ways; not the least of which were her capabilities and creativity in feeding a family of seven, and gatherings of extended family.

She gave us unconditional love; the kind of love that God has for us.  No matter what, we knew we were loved.  And in a household of five boys, growing up and as adults, that love was tested a few times.  Not deliberately, but as an unintended consequence of some of our poorer choices.  But always her love for us was unwavering.  Another of moms strengths, was the ability remain calm and composed when providing first aid and transporting us to the emergency room.

You occasionally hear mention of adults who have not left their parents home.  We were invited back!  “You can move back in with us, we have plenty of room”  So it happened, that most of us, after being out on our own for a time were welcomed back to live in our parents home.  This theme sounds familiar.  As we all are children of God and will be welcomed into heaven.

As children, and then young adults, we could not have imagined what we would do with our lives, and where we would be at this point.  Conversely, at this time, we can not imagine how we could have gotten here, without the love, guidance and support of our mother, Denise.

We love you mom.

Denise was a very special person to me. She was a second mother to me. She always was a friend. We did crafts together, she taught me how to quilt, sew, cook and can produce. One of the best times we always shared was playing cards. Denise was one of the finest women I knew. I miss her dearly. I loved her and will love her all the days of my life. I hope to be just an ounce of a woman my mother-in-law was. She was strong, even tempered, a great cook and a loving wife and mother. All her knew her was truly blessed by her being in their lives. I love you Denise!

Mary Denise Rigney (Kiernan) Eulogy 

“It is prudent to hide the secret of a king: but honorable to reveal the works of God” (Tobit 12:7).  Thus said the Archangel Raphael to Tobit upon healing his blindness.

Saint Paul is thrown to the ground and blinded upon first encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Jesus asks Paul, “Why do you persecute me!” (Acts 9:4)  Jesus equates the attack on the early Christian community to a personnel attack on himself.  Only later, when Paul encounters the Church through Ananias is he filled with the Holy Spirit and his blindness healed.

This is how we often encounter Jesus. It is through our interaction with the Church or with family, friends and neighbors.  In this way, our mother Denise lived out the faith of her Catholic tradition and Irish heritage.
Denise was guarded with holy baptism from infancy and the Sacraments from childhood.  

Blessed John Paul II tells us that “Faith and Reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of the truth”.  Mom embraced life with Faith, Reason and purpose.  She focused on the truly important things in life. 

Following the Irish tradition she found her “Anam Cara”, a soul mate for life's journey.  She married Sylvester Rigney.  An “only child”, Denise quickly embraced six new siblings in life-long friendship.  United as husband and wife, soon their home was filled with five active sons.  With persistence, prayer and sacrifice – we somehow managed to make it to Church every Sunday, receive the sacraments and attend Catholic schools for our education.

Her home was a place of order and discipline, with a level of sanity that only the most patient and loving mother can orchestrate – with five wild boys!  Rarely, if ever did mom raise her voice.  Typically, it was sufficient to call the unruly offender by BOTH his first and middle names to arrest the behavior.  When appropriate, she would follow her call with the dreaded…”just wait until your father gets home”.

Denise managed her home with frugal stewardship and attended the needs of highest importance – often sacrificing desires of her own.  In this manner she provides for a loving home, family meals every night, vacations and for all the activities & expenses of daily life.

Mom's Irish Catholic tradition contains practices that fulfill the Christian exhortation to “PRAY CONSTANTLY”.  This includes ancient prayers to bless every moment of the day.  There are prayers for rising, for cooking, for stirring the fire & prayers for making the bed, putting on slippers or harvesting the garden.  Although these prayers may be unspoken or even unknown – every good mother has them written on her heart.

Jesus welcomes the faithful into his Kingdom in Mathews Gospel (Chp 25) all those who…
Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger and care for the sick
Mom fulfilled our Lords' directive in chapter 25 of Mathews Gospel throughout her life.  At her home there was always a place for a childhood friend to share a meal or a friend / relative to sleep the night. There was always room for an ailing mother to find care and comfort.  Mom always had a welcoming lap for a child to share a story or to have a tear dried from an invisible wound.

In this special way – Denise shared her love.
In the loved she shared – she showed us Jesus.
And in this small way, God touched all of our souls.

Here is Densie holding Grandaughter Emily (Megan & Neil Bradford). My warmest memory is crawling up into grandmas' lap and listening to " One fish, Two Fish ... Red fish, Blue fish."  Always a classic when read with patience and love.

Dearest Mother,
You are the best. You will be missed by all of your family and friends. I hope you were well pleased with the memorial vigil and funeral mass at St. Benedict Catholic Church. The music and slide-show of your amazing life presented at the vigil were the cause of many joyfull tears.  The Mass of Christian Burrial left me in complete awe of the blessings of God.  As heartbroken as we all are to to loose you, it was obvious that you smiled down upon us from heaven.  The presence of the priests an monks from St. Gregorys' Abby were a most unexpected grace.  My heart is at peace knowing you are in the house of our Lord.  

In Revelation 8:4 we learn " Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand."

My thoughts and prayes are with you Mom - and I know your prayers are making a sweet fregrance before Gods' heavenly throne!
 
Love Always!

Always full of love and smiles, Denise was a wonderful lady.  Memories of family parties and visits at her kitchen table with coffee and stories of family.  She was such a generous person.  She will be missed.  I hope Heaven is a comforting thought.  Lynn Sumner

We were so sad to hear of Denise's passing.  We love the whole Rigney family and you are all in our prayers. May God's love and comfort be with you.   Love, Penny and Mark Browning

OBITUARY

Mary D. Rigney

15 March, 1938 – 10 April, 2014

Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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