Niona "Nickie" Rigney

March 08, 2023

Niona "Nickie" Rigney

Service Details

Niona “Nickie” Fern Rigney, 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at Park Ridge Specialty Care in Pleasant Hill while under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice.

Nickie was born September 27, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa to Virgil and Helen (Wharton) Simpson. She grew up in Des Moines on a farm, and graduated from East High School in 1953. As a young person, Nickie worked downtown in a clothing store. She moved to California to be with her sister Nadeen, where she met her husband Hugh in 1964. The couple had four children, and later divorced. She later moved back to Iowa, where she was a stay-at-home mom, lovingly caring for her family and household. Nickie was a Cub Mom, and loved being involved in her children’s activities. She loved being a grandma and enjoyed being with her family. She loved quilting and sewing and was very talented at drawing. She enjoyed gardening and roses were her favorite flowers. Her favorite color was pink.

She is survived by her children, Cindy (Norman) McKee, Amy (Paul) Pearson, Tracy Shipler, Andrew (Maureen) Rigney; grandchildren, Ryan, Justin, Melissa (Jeremy), Jacob, Cody (Karlie), Morgan (Cheyenne), Adam (Mariah), Kyle, Tierney, Zachariah, Jayden, Emily, Ethan; great-grandchildren, Aria, K’ydn, Quinten, Drea Lynn, Madelyn; sister, Nileen Anderson; and many other loving family members and friends.

Nickie was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Helen Simpson; siblings, Nadeen and Norman; the father of her children, Hugh Rigney; and aunt, Thelma Lorraine Simpson.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in honor of Nickie’s love for animals.

Nickie’s quote from her high school yearbook: “If you have friends, you can endure anything.”

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