Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Mary (May) Josephine Rigby-Comeau announces her peaceful passing which occurred on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Born January 20, 1926 in Dublin, Ireland, she was the daughter of the late James and Catherine (Carroll) Perry.
The first-born in a family of seven, Mary grew up on the family dairy farm in Rathfarnham in County South Dublin/Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Ireland. Being the oldest, and in keeping with the Irish culture of the time, she was fully expected to contribute to a significant extent in the “rearing” of her six siblings, and contribute she did. She spent her teens and into early adulthood making sure her family were well fed, helping out on the farm, and making sure the country store and post office, which were part of the family-operated business ran smoothly.
At the age of 20, this stunning beauty married the striker on the Irish National Soccer Team, Alf Rigby. She and Alf sustained the tragic loss of Colm, their firstborn at age 6 weeks, and immigrated to Canada in 1951; May following Alf who came to Saint John in 1950 in search of work. She would spend the remainder of her life in Canada.
In the 1960s, once her own two children, Sharon and Gerard were old enough, she went to work as a cashier with the Dominion Stores, and later at Sobeys, where she graced so many coworkers and customers over those many years until she reluctantly retired at the age of 71. She lost her Alf in 1980. In 1988, one of those grocery store customers, Warren C. Comeau, charmed her with Irish poetry and prose and later became her beloved second husband. Together, May and Warren Sr. were a delight to all who met them, and May embraced and was dearly loved by a second family. She lost her Warren in 2013.
May will be remembered as a genuinely elegant woman with a gentle spirit who extended kindness to everyone she met. She was a fashionable lady, an avid ballroom dancer, an excellent cook who delighted in entertaining those who were fortunate enough to come to her table and her living room.
Mary is survived by her children: son Gerard Rigby (Joanne Duffenais), daughter Sharon Rigby, step-son Warren G. Comeau (Cathy Howlett), step-daughter Trudy Comeau-Roper (Joe); brother Dom Perry (Cepta) and sisters Eire Buckley (Sean), Carmel McDermott (Owen) and Anne Perry. Mary is also survived by her grandchildren Lindsay Comeau, Erin Comeau, Marcus Comeau, Jared Comeau, and Katelyn (Comeau) Ricketts, Jasmine (Daniel) Beniot, and Devon (Melanie) Duffenais; great-grandchildren Chase, Paige, Cohan, Channing, Sophia, Baby Jack, Braydon, and Baby Rose. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews throughout Ireland, Europe and North America.
In addition to her parents, Mary is predeceased by her infant son Colm, her first husband Alfred J. Rigby, her second husband, Warren C. Comeau and brothers Seamus and Con Perry.
Arrangements are entrusted to Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (646-2424) with visitation hours being held on Sunday, December 22nd between 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 23rd at 11 AM from St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 135 Simpson Drive.
Memorial donations towards the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #87, IWK Foundation, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Josephine Rigby-Comeau January 20 1926 December 19 2019 (age 93)..
Death notice for the town of: Saint-John, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick