Annette Cecile Rigby

Annette Cecile Rigby, age 92, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2025, in her Visalia home with her daughter by her side. She was born February 5, 1933, in Visalia, after the birth of her twin sister, Annella, daughters of Roy and Eva Foucht. Annette attended George McCann School and Exeter Union High School where she excelled in sports. After graduation she attended Providence Nursing School. Her nursing career spanned 45 years and included the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Great Britain.

In 1955, Annette married Donald Eugene Shultz, and raised three children while working at local hospitals. In 1977 Annette moved to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she was employed by the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center for several years. Here she met her soon-to-be-husband, William “Bill” Rigby. They married in 1980 and her family now included Linda Rigby Moss and Neil Rigby. They resided in Bill’s hometown, Southport, Merseyside, UK, for 19 years. After Bill’s passing, she moved back to Visalia. Annette was adventurous and enjoyed traveling the world. She also enjoyed gardening, crocheting, and was proud of placing first at the Tulare County Fair for a watercolor she painted, even while living with low vision. Annette passed down this artistic talent to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Annette was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Annette is survived by her daughter, Aileen and husband Dennis Gimlin, son Norman Shultz of Dos Palos and his former wife Naomi “Noni” Shultz of Squaw Valley, daughter Lisa Meek and husband James “Randy” Meek of Whitney, Texas, step-daughter Linda Moss and step-son Neil Rigby of Southport, UK and by her sister-in-law Shirley Dorei Foucht of Bellview, WA. Annette was the grandmother of nine, great-grandmother of eighteen, and great-great-grandmother of one.

She was preceded in death by her parents C. Roy Foucht and Eva E. Foucht, her husband Bill Rigby, former husband, Don Schultz, her brothers Phillip and Richard Foucht, her twin sister Annella Montgomery and beloved granddaughter, Jeannine Michelle Haug.

A Rosary will be held Monday, June 23, 2025 at 9:00am at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave, Visalia, at 10:30am a Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 608 N. Church st, Visalia. A reception will be held at 11:30am at Miller Memorial Chapel, the burial will be held at the Visalia Cemetery for the immediate family.

Donations in Memory of Annette may be sent to George McCann School, 506 N. Garden St, Visalia, CA, 93291. The family wishes to extend a sincere Thank You to the staff of American Care Hospice. Annette will be remembered for her quiet, giving spirit and will be deeply missed.