Mary Elizabeth Rigdon

Mary was born June 26th, 1929 in Easton, MD and passed away peacefully on December 1st, 2018 in her home on the family farm in Jarrettsville, MD at the age of 89.

She is survived by her husband George Benjamin Rigdon II of 64 years. They were married on December 26th, 1953. They had two children; Henry Benjamin (Ben) Rigdon of Darlington, MD, and John Alexander Rigdon of Jarrettsville, MD. Ben is married to Elizabeth (Liz) Rigdon and John is married to Andrea (Andy) McGuirk Rigdon.

Mary and George were blessed with seven grandchildren. Descending from Ben and Liz; George Benjamin Rigdon III of Colora, MD, John Andrew Rigdon of Jarrettsville, MD and Sara Elizabeth Powel of Union Bridge, MD. Descending from John and Andy; Chad Alexander Rigdon of Forest Hill, MD, William Ashton Rigdon of Baltimore, MD, Harrison Lee Rigdon of Jarrettsville, MD, and Julia Paige Regan of Baltimore, MD. Mary is also survived by eight great grandchildren.

Mary was the daughter of the late Francis (Frank) and Mary Elizabeth Wysong. She is preceded in death by her three brothers; Mason, Grymes, and John (Jack).

Mary was raised in northern Harford County and is a graduate of Bel Air High School. She attended Salisbury College and earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She also earned a Certificate of Library Science in a University of Virginia graduate program. After earning her degrees, Mary went on teach until she married and later returned as librarian in the Harford County Public Schools.

After marrying George, Mary ran the daily operations on the family farm while he carried the mail for USPS and managed the tomato canning business. She was a life-long 4-H participant and received recognition as a national project winner for her canning and preserving of fruits and jams in her youth. She went on to lead the Owls 4-H club for many years and was on the board of the Rocks 4-H Camp, eventually becoming initiated as an 4-H All-Star member. Mary was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and held several titles therein, including Regent of the William Paca Chapter. She was a past board member for the Harford County Farm Bureau and was a board member on the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) of the USDA. Mary and George were named as Harford County Living Treasures and were also honored with an award from the Harford County Farm Bureau as Farmers of the Year in 2009.

Mary was a pious Christian and attended Rock Spring Episcopal Church in Forest Hill, MD, where she served on the vestry as Cemetery Treasurer while also acting as a curator of the grounds. She lived to serve others and often volunteered her support, including regular visits to the VA hospital to help veterans and hospice care to her elderly relatives and neighbors.

Mary was active in the church, but spent much of her time outdoors and in nature where she felt the closest to God. She used to take children on nature hikes and helped maintain the trails in the woods which was her sanctuary. She had a deep love for children and they also sought her compassion and empathy. She was a great storyteller and knew the history of her family well. She preferred a simple life and lived by the golden rule (do unto others…). Mary was considered by many to be one of the toughest women they had the fortune to know and will be missed for her caring personality.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harford County 4-H Camp at P.O. Box 70, Forest Hill, MD 21050.