Valorie Candland Riggs, 77, was peacefully called home on Thursday, July 30th, 2020. She was surrounded by family in her home in Mesa, Arizona. Valorie was born on Jan. 7, 1943 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Harold and Eva Candland.
Valorie was preceded in death by her late husband, Charl Riggs Sr. who passed away just two months earlier after celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary. Her legacy will continue through her 9 children Charl (Sheli), Kimberly (Barry) Thomas, Marie (Clark) Fullmer, Duane (Colleen), Clayton (Kim), Don (Shanda), Ammon (Kim), Sterling (Linnea), Natalie (Brandon) Connolly, her 43 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
Valorie was also preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Eva Candland. She is survived by her four remaining brothers Harold, John, Noel, Bill, and sister Eve Anderson.
She earned a bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in English from Brigham Young University where she met her husband Charl Riggs. They eventually moved to Mesa, Arizona where they lived in the same home raising their 9 children for the remaining 51 years.
Valorie formed a book club in 1973 where 9 participants met monthly until the last months of her life. She was active in the Reflections Singing Group and while a member of the Arizona Young Mothers Council was nominated as Young Mother of the Year for the State of Arizona.
She was a loving wife that was devoted to her family, and you would often find her attending one of her children/grandchildren’s events.
She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Throughout her life, she served in numerous capacities for the church including Stake Missionary, Stake Girls Camp Director, Ward Relief Society President, and Ward and Stake Young Women’s President. She later served a mission with her eternal companion, Charl Sr. in the Mexico, Monterey mission. She was a righteous loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother friend, who loved her Savior Jesus Christ by living his teachings throughout her life.
A Visitation will be held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, Aug. 7th, 2020 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201 (ALL ARE WELCOME to the Visitation). Due to current conditions, a private funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, Aug. 8th, 2020 (All are invited to view the funeral service virtually which will be streamed live at the following Zoom link.
Zoom link:
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When: Aug 8, 2020 11:00 AM Arizona
Topic: Valorie Candland Riggs Memorial Service
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Meus sinceros sentimentos a todos, que o pai celestial vos console e que lhes dê a paz de Cristo em vossos corações, estarei orando por todos da família Riggs
I knew Valerie when we were at both Kensington Junior High and Bethesda Chevy Chase High schools. We were in the same carpool in junior high so I saw her almost every day for several years. She was a lovely person and I know she must have been an exceptional mother. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Through the few short years we have known Charl and Val we came to love them deeply because of who they were and what they emulated through their actions: wonderful, tender, loving, kind, giving to all they associated with, caring and always emulating their love of their God and Savior. What a beautiful life and example they have left for their posterity. They will be remembered always. 💕
I have such fond memories of Val growing up being in the Riggs home. She was always kind and patient with us even when we were moving all of her furniture out of the way to play nerf dunk ball.
I’m so sad to hear of Val’s passing so soon after Charl’s passing. I loved living on Fountain Street down from the Riggs family. Your family will be in my prayers.
I will be eternally grateful for the life and loving heart of Val Riggs. Val was my Beehive advisor soon after she and Charl moved to Mesa. She taught me about Jesus Christ then and for the last 53 years she has showed me how Jesus Christ’s loves. May the Lord bless Val Riggs and the entire Val and Charl Rigg’s nation.
We both love your mom and dad. We are so grateful for their example to us. They were always so kind to us and to our families. We send our love to all of you.
I remember Val growing up in the Village of North Chevy Chase where she lived on Inverness Drive, which was one of the streets I delivered the daily paper to. Often we would chat and remember her at BCC during our HS years. She was a very nice and beautiful gal. May you rest in peace. God Bless you and your family.
Such fond memories fill my heart when thinking of this excellent woman. We have lost a jewel. HOw fortunate we were to become acquainted in our BYU ward and then to meet again in our Mesa ward. Thanks to Val, Charle and family for examples of love and devotion to God, gospel living and family. Though we have not been associated for several years due to geography, we have not forgotten.
We send love and prayers of comfort in the family’s direction.
I was saddened to hear of Valeries passing. We were friends in high school. She alphabetically was in fron if my desk all through school. The Carone family loved the Candland. My brother Jimmy Carone was best friends with Noel. I even went to the BCC prom with Noel. I borrowed a prom gown from Valorie. It was a beautiful peach color. So many sweet memories. God bless you all❤️❤️
So many will miss Val’s sweet spirit. She was a dedicated daughter of God, a beautiful lady in every way.
I am Valerie’s oldest female cousin. We grew up together and were close until she went to college. Even then we stayed in touch. I was sorry to hear of her passing, but know that she is happy now.My love to her family and hope that they will remember all the good times.
I am so sorry for the loss of both of your wonderful parents. But I am so glad that they went (almost) together.
I loved them both and am so glad for the wonderful examples they were to me, as well as long time friends.
Have been in the Ward with the Riggs for over 50 years. Val was my Beehive teacher. She has always been a good example of what a true ministering disciple is. She was also my Relief Society President and I was called to fill her shoes which was impossible. She set a high bar to reach. How I love her and her family. My prayers and love go out to all of you. She will be truly missed!
Valeria and I were in the 1st and 2nd grade together at Chevy Chase Elementary School. I attended her birthday party when she turned 7. Believe it or not I still have the party favor each of us guests got. It is a charming china ballerina figurine with a little age on it. I’d love to send it to one of her daughters or grand daughters if they send me their address. Valerie’s mother and my mother were good friends. I remember eating with her family at the Hot Shop in Bethesda, Md. on Wisconsin Ave. and East West Hwy and getting a free dinner. Her mother was the sister of Mr. Marriot who owned that restaurant plus many other places.
I so enjoyed reading the fascinating and busy life your mother had. My deepest sympathies for the loss of both your parents in such a short time. God Bless
I knew & loved Sister Riggs, like my sister Barb Abney did, as our Young Women leader in our ward growing up. Wonderful lessons, activities, and amazing love was shown by her for all of us girls! I have never met a kinder person! I was so grateful to be able to babysit her 4 older children during my years in high school & at MCC. Such a great family! What an amazing mom & grandma they had! We will truly miss her here on earth, but rejoice in knowing we will see her again. Grateful she is now reunited with her sweetheart, Charl, another amazing person! My thoughts and prayers go out to Her children and grandchildren. She loves you! Live by following the example she set, so you can return to be with her. The Lord will bless you as you live and serve others like she did. ❤️Terri