Lola Rigby Jr.

Lola's wish was for donations to be made to the American Diabetes Foundation in lieu of flowers. Please Donate here. https://donations.diabetes.org




Rigby, Lola Jr. Born November 5th, 1928 in Wichita, Kansas. Lola was the adopted daughter of John and Lola Rigby of Beverly Hills, California. She was predeceased by her parents, sister Jane Rigby Patterson, and son Robin Rigby (Jasmin) Simpson. She leaves behind her daughters Lola Rae Estey of Chula Vista, CA. Mary Louise St. John, Cortland N.Y., sons John M. Simpson Jr (Lanie) Lancaster, CA. , and Ian Scott Simpson(Kikuyo), Anaheim Hills, CA. 16 grandchildren and 17 Great-grandchildren; her natural brothers, Donald Shoemaker of Tulsa, OK. , Merle (Peggy) Shoemaker of Deby, Kansas, and Verle (Suzanne) Shoemaker of Bella Vista, ARK. and many nephews and nieces.

Lola was energetic and versatile. She led an eclectic life. She was a member of Mensa since 1947. As a single working mother, at age 44 she earned her BA in English Lit while going to college at night. Later she earned an MS in biology and Ph.D. in biology, cell physiology. She worked many years as a research scientist in the fields of cancer research, audio and muscle physiology, and as a microbiologist using electron microscopy for the USDA. At age 55, after an absence of 30 years, she moved back to California and began a new career as a high school teacher at Van Nuys High School, Van Nuys, CA. where she taught biology and AP psychology, retiring at age 70. She received a commendation from the City of Los Angeles for her work in writing the medical magnet curriculum at that school.
Lola accomplished many things besides higher education. She was a good carpenter and built her own house in N.C. with only her labor and that of her children. She was a poet and author; she held a real estate broker's license, loved ranching where she raised Nubian milking goats and bred Lhasa Apso dogs, and she was an avid reader usually reading 2 books at a time. She had a passion for classical music and duplicate bridge. Trained in youth as a concert pianist, she adored Chopin and still was able to play his works in her later years.

Lola's children and family were her worlds. Her best times were being together with her large extended family during the holidays when 20 to 30 family members could be counted on to attend the festive dinners.

There will be no services as per Lola's request. However, for close friends and family, there will be a niche ceremony at the Rigby Mausoleum, The Columbarium of Eternal Light, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, CA on July 27th at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to research for Type 1 Diabetes will be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made with this link.

https://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?df_id=20044&mfc_pref=T&20044.donation=form1&s_src=WWP190201DXXXXA012CC&s_src=AAP190101LXXXXXXXXCC&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp6zu7ovC4wIVjh6tBh0rHAc4EAAYASABEgLbbfD_BwE