Delores “Del” Rigsby, aka Tutu, age 85, passed away on July 2, 2019 in her home on Main Street. She has been a prominent member of the Ferndale community for the last eighty years. Remembered by many as a beloved teacher for 35 years within the Rohnerville school district. Del poured her heart into her teaching and spread the following message to both her students and friends: Be kind to animals, one another, and the earth. She loved her job and all of her students brought her immense joy. She is survived by her two daughters; LeAnne Alameda and Kristie Lee Burns (Damian); three granddaughters; Amber Carmela Yvette (Clark), Jennifer Sam, and Brittany Jean; her brother Kenneth Weller (Tary) of Ferndale; her precious dog Bobo; sister-in-law Arzilda Webb; niece, Jessica Webb; and dear friends Zelda Bernard, Kelly Kukuk, and Julie Wright among many others. She is preceded by the death of her parents; Lillian and Norman “Buck” Weller; husband Lee H. Rigsby, and cherished pets: Poppy, and Jeffrey Bodine.

Del was born on June 26,1934 in San Francisco. Her parents (The Wellers) came to Ferndale when she was a young girl to open a gas station in 1946. The Weller family soon became an integral part of the community. She graduated from Ferndale High School and received a BA from Humboldt State University in Education. Del also worked at the local Post Office, library, and the fairgrounds. She welcomed all with her warm personality, kind heart, and delicious meals. She will be greatly missed by all and remembered by those whose hearts she touched and bellies she filled. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bless the Beasts. A celebration of life will follow in the coming months.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Del Rigby’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.