Margery Ann Riga

Margery Ann Riga, 89, passed away peacefully at home July 25, 2022. She was born December 3, 1932, to George Ivan Montague and Avera Warner Montague. She married Gerald Michele Riga in 1945. Margery and Gerald had two sons Gerald Bart (deceased) and Michael Bret.
Margery was raised in Antimony, Utah and later moved to Salt Lake City. She graduated from East High School and attended the University of Utah and Boise State. Her husband Gerald attended the rival West High School. While at work one day, Gerald was working in the rafters of the store and fell from the rafters to the floor right in front of her. Some might say he was sent from above to meet her. They married in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1945 and were later sealed in the St George Temple. Gerald and Margery moved from Salt Lake City to Provo, then to Seattle and finally Boise, Idaho for employment with Albertsons. Boise was where they raised Bret. Margery worked as a dental assistant in both Salt Lake City and Boise.
Gerald and Margery purchased a home in St George, Utah and enjoyed it for seven years before Gerald’s passing.
Those of you who know Margery, knows how she loved to shop. If you came to visit, the first things she would say was “where would you like to eat, and then let’s go shopping”. We always knew there would be a meal out when we visited.
She loved to take care of her backyard. Every year she would spend time looking around and deciding what needed to be planted and put her order in with Star Nursery. The inside of her home was equally important. Margery always kept her home clean and updated with the latest décor. We’re not sure why she had cleaning ladies once a month because her home was always spotless.
Margery was as tough as nails. We remember a time when three nieces and three wives of nephews visited. They rented a place in town and had a wonderful dinner out. She fell and broke her hip and spent a month and a half in rehab. Sometime later, Bret had an Acorn chair lift installed in her home and unfortunately a misstep sent her tumbling to the bottom of the stairs and as a result she sustained a broken femur. She managed to get herself to the door just as her driver was coming in. He got an ambulance coming and headed to the hospital. Amazingly, she entered rehab after a few short days at the hospital and after only two weeks they called to have her picked up to go home.
Margery’s hair was a point of contention with her sweetheart when he came home one day unexpectedly and found her hair up in rollers. This was not his favorite look. From that day forward, for over 25 years, she had a standing Friday at 10:00 am appointment with Kathy.
She loved loved loved Diet Pepsi up until the very end. Her last meal consisted of a piece of peach pie with peaches from Palisade, Colorado and, of course, a Diet Pepsi.
She had a love for Temple work. She was proud of the fact that she was the oldest living member of our family. She loved spending time with her friends Patty and Jana. Margery was always proud of her grandkids. We’re pretty sure everyone in St George knew all of their accomplishments. She always said, “I may not have as many grandkids as most, but I got the best”.
We are very grateful for Jan who took great loving care of her and who was also the one to suggest Hospice. Our thanks to Pauline with Sun Tree Hospice for her care to ensure a peaceful departure.
Margery is preceeded in death by her husband Gerald Riga, son Gerald Bart Riga, Parents Ivan and Avera Montague, brothers Cecil Montague, Calvin Montague, and Corlas Montague, sisters Maurine Johnson, Maribeth Garber, Madeleine Peterson and Peggy Parr.
She is survived by her son Michael Bret (Terri) Riga, Denver, Colorado, grandson Bryan Nicholas Riga, Hayden, Idaho, granddaughter Alexis Michaela Riga, Denver, Colorado, great grandson Christopher Riga, Hayden, Idaho. Numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah.
A second visitation will take place on Monday, August 1, 2022, from 12:30 – 1:30 pm at Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 S Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dedication of the grave and interment will be on Monday, August 1, 2022, 2:00 pm at Redwood Memorial Estates.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to share a memory on Margery’s obituary page at www.spilsburymortuary.com