GrandMary Riker – 5/28/42 to 1/12/12

“Death is not extinguishing the light, it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come.”

–Rabindranath Tagore

With sadness and a heavy heart we remember the life of Mary Christopher Riker (Christy), 69, _­of Cochiti Lake, New Mexico—formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by her husband of 37 years William Riker and her beloved children Christopher Riker, Rachael Schultz, Rebecca Riker and Wendy Matthews, Christy passed away peacefully in the early morning of January 12, 2012.

She fought her cancer valiantly for two years and did so with great resilience, being strong for her many grandchildren:  Liam and Rhiannon Riker, Lucas and Nathan Schultz, Riker and Piper Matthews, Allen Scolese and Sam Siple.

Her family and friends will miss her delightful ability to charm and engage them, her creative cooking flare, her zest for life, her remarkable way of leaving a positive impact on her children and the children she taught and inspired, her affection for animals, her love of Independence and Christmas Days and her effortless pride in her family.

Thank you all for the support, love and well wishes that were sent during her journey and for your friendship during her life. We know that she loved each and every one of you very much.

When I die

Give what’s left of me away

To children

And old men that wait to die.

And if you need to cry,

Cry for your brother

Walking the street beside you.

 

And when you need me,

Put your arms

Around anyone

And give them

What you need to give to me.

 

I want to leave you something,

Something better

Than words

Or sounds.

 

Look for me

In the people I’ve known

Or loved,

And if you cannot give me away,

At least let me live on your eyes

And not on your mind.

 

You can love me most

By letting

Hands touch hands,

By letting

Bodies touch bodies,

And by letting go

Of children

That need to be free.

 

Love doesn’t die,

People do.

So, when all that’s left of me

Is love,

Give me away. 

~Merrit Malloy

In her memory please consider making a donation of blood, as it is a reflection of her generosity to give back to the living. If you care to make a monetary donation in her name to a charitable organization, she was actively involved with Futures for Children located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, or please consider any local animal rescue organization.

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