Lucy Jane Riger, "Jane", passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, at her home in Silver City, NM surrounded by loved ones.
Jane was born on January 11, 1946, to Lucy Belle Shull and Francis Marion Shull in Rochester, New York. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Rochester. She loved to roam the woods with her friends and camp in the Adirondacks with her family. She graduated from Penfield High School and received a bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1967 from The University of Colorado at Boulder. After graduating, she moved to San Francisco, where she earned her teaching certificate from San Francisco State University and met the man who would become her husband, Paul Riger. Jane and Paul shared a love of adventure, eventually embarking on a year-long international trip via freighter and motorcycle to Morocco, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where they married in a civil ceremony in 1971.
After returning to the Rochester area, Jane and Paul had two daughters. With the energetic enthusiasm that was characteristically hers, Jane participated in feminist groups and developed a love for gardening. She was keenly intellectual and always up to date on current events. An avid reader, she devoured history books, particularly those about the American west.
An interest in helping others led Jane to earn a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1980. Jane's subsequent career was focused on working with developmentally disabled and addiction recovery populations.
Over the years, the family followed the trajectory of Paul's career and moved several times. Jane was active in each community, including Unitarian Universalist fellowships, book clubs, and various school and neighborhood groups. After retiring to Silver City in 2010, she became known for her beautiful garden, her artistic sewing projects, and her cooking and baking.
Jane was active with The Unitarian Universalist Community, End of Life Options New Mexico, Great Old Broads, New Mexico Native Plant Society and other community groups. Whether lobbying to discontinue plastic bags, protesting plans to dam the Gila River, or providing aid to immigrants, she believed that actions spoke louder than words.
Jane was beloved by many. She is survived by her immediate family, including husband Paul, her daughters Stacy Riger and Cassie Riger, and Cassie's wife, Shera. Jane is also survived by her sister Catherine McCalmon and husband Byron, as well as Paul's brother, Robert. Jane's brother, Michael Shull, predeceased her in January 2025.
A memorial service is planned for December 2025 at The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Silver City, NM. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City or End of Life Options New Mexico.
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