Houston, TX – Marianna Riggs, 74, passed away in her adopted home town of Houston, Texas, after a long illness on June 16, 2026. She was born on January 4, 1952, in Northampton, MA, the oldest child of Frank and Mary Buzzee.
The family soon added two younger brothers and settled in Gales Ferry, CT. After graduating from St. Bernard’s High School, her adventurous spirit led her to the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico, and then to Nursing school, where her kindness and love of life found the perfect outlet. Looking to expand her horizons again, she found a job at Hermann Hospital in Houston, where over a 32-year career she brightened the lives of everyone she came in contact with.
Marianna was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived and remembered with great tenderness by her husband of 29 years, Robert Riggs; stepchildren Robert (Jill), Sonia, and Carmen Riggs; grandchildren Diego and Alex Riggs; brothers Patrick (Julia) and Timothy (Kristina) Buzzee; lifelong friend Marie Abbatinozzi; and numerous other family members and close friends.
The family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided over 10 years by Dr. Yuval Raizen and the staff at Oncology Consultants, most notably Jessica Hyman-Slone.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 26 at 11:00 AM at Blazing Star Sanctuary, 31930 Morrison Road, Brookshire, TX. Service Livestream available at www.waldmanfuneralcare.com
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