Patricia Rigler, 89, of San Jose, CA, passed away on 15 May 2021 after a brief illness. Patricia Ellen Taylor was born to parents Julian Cecil Taylor and Vivian DeVault Taylor on June 20, 1931 in Roanoke, Virginia. Pat was very close to her older sister Shirley whom she looked up to very much. Pat graduated from Jefferson High School in 1949 in Roanoke, Virginia. She went on to study Education & Languages at Longwood College (now University) and graduated in 1953 with honors. During her college years she was a part of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority as well as numerous honor sororities.

Primarily a French teacher, Pat also taught high school English and Spanish for 36 years. Among the schools where she taught were Richlands High School (in Richlands, VA), Princess Anne High School (in Virginia Beach, VA), Wilson, Churchland and Manor High Schools (Portsmouth, VA), Isle of Wight Academy (in Isle of Wight County, VA) and Suffolk, Forest Glen and Kennedy High Schools (Suffolk, VA). She retired from teaching in 2002.

Patricia Taylor became Patricia Jackson in late 1954 after being introduced to "Smoke" (Sherwood Chesson Jackson) by friends. Smoke had two boys, John and Walter from his previous marriage, and they added to their family over the next decade with the births of Sherwood Jr. "Smoky" and Laura Elizabeth "Laura Beth". Pat & Smoke owned and operated Peanut City Vegetable Oil in Suffolk. They loved to have big parties including an annual Barbecue in May. At their home, there were always a lot of great people, both friends & family, and there was an array of delicious dishes. Impromptu parties often happened when friends dropped by or last-minute dinner invitations often turned into casual dinner parties with lots of food.  A few more recent favorites of Pat's new and much-loved traditions included Saturday morning breakfasts, steak on Saturdays and Sunday night pizza with family. The highlight of the week was "Terrific Tuesday" with oysters, gelato and beloved friends and family at Vin Santo in Willow Glen.  She looked forward to these weekly times of connection & fun.

After 47 years of marriage, Sherwood "Smoke" Sr. died (2002) and soon Pat moved to San Jose, CA (2003) to be near her daughter Laura Beth, son in law Kerry DeHority, and their two boys Charlie and Jack. She met Thomas Cox "Tom" Rigler at the Kiwanis Club of Cambrian Park where Laura Beth and Tom had served as past presidents of the club. What started out as two people who had lost their spouses taking Italian lessons at the Senior Center turned into marriage in 2008.  She was treated with great love by Tom's adult children, daughter Sue (Jon) Palmer and their son Matt; and son, Bruce.  Tom and Pat enjoyed travel, Kiwanis projects and dinner parties with their AAUW dinner group and spending time with their children from both sides.  They also enjoyed trips to watch University of Iowa football games, to tour the Ronald Reagan Museum, and to relax and visit members of Tom's extended family in Hawaii.  Tom passed away in 2012.

Pat enjoyed American History, reading mystery novels and biographies, Opera, Classical and Big Band music, learning to play the ukulele, Bible study, watching Golf and word puzzles.  As long as health allowed, she was a season ticket holder of Opera San Jose, holding her most precious Opera memories of those with Tom.  She also loved to attend live theater. Pat could be found practicing her languages as she traveled extensively in Europe with friends (France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, & Germany) She also enjoyed trips to Egypt and, most recently (2019) the Panama Canal with Laura Beth and Kerry.  In her younger days, she loved to visit family in West Virginia, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia as well as traveling throughout the Western United States with Doug, Shirley, and their granddaughters, Amy, Jamie, Miranda and Kathryn.

While in California, Pat enjoyed being a part of the Kiwanis Club of Cambrian Park, American Association of University Women & Republican Women's Clubs. In her Virginia years, Pat was an active member of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Portsmouth and Christ Church in Smithfield, where she served on the vestry.  Pat faithfully attended Sunday services with the wonderful congregation at St James Anglican Church for the last few years. She was also actively involved with several non-profit organizations:  the Suffolk Christian Woman's Club, the Isle of Wight Republican Woman's Club, the Alliance Francaise & the American Association of University Women.

Pat is survived by sister Shirley Quillen (Douglas) of Lawrenceville, GA; stepson, John Motley Jackson (Phyllis) of Jefferson, GA and their children Erin & Sanford as well as their grandson; stepson Walter Motley Jackson (Nancy) of Ringgold, VA, and their children Micah, Jessica, Mary-Anne, and Leslie and their 5 grandchildren, daughter Laura Elizabeth "Laura Beth" DeHority (Kerry) of San Jose, CA, & their children, Charlie & Jack. She was preceded in death by son Sherwood "Smoky" Chesson Jackson (Sharon) of Gloucester, VA.

The family has entrusted Alameda Family Funeral and Cremations with the arrangements. A Memorial Service will occur at St James Anglican Church in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, CA.  Space is limited so please contact the church for details and to RSVP at parishadmin@stjamesacna.org ;.  The service will also be livestreamed for those out of the area or unable to join in person. Rev. Cindy Stansbury will officiate the ceremony.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James Anglican Church https://www.stjamesacna.org/.