Rena Eva Nigg

Obituary Rena Eva (Moran) Nigg 1/19/1924 - 12/28/2011 I was born 1/19/1924 in Garyville, Louisiana to Albert and Ursula Moran. I was born the 5th of 12 children. We moved to St. Amant, LA, where we sharecropped strawberries. I went to school to the 10th grade, and quit to work in the fields. My brother Morris joined the Marines and became best buddies with Bernard Nigg in San Diego. Morris received a letter from home with a picture of my sister Rita and me. Morris told "Bernie" to choose one to write to, as he'd love to have his best buddy as his brother-in-law some day. Bernie and I wrote back and forth for 2 years. I was 16-1/2 years old. When I turned 18-1/2 years Bernie sent me a train ticket to California in July 1942 to stay with his mother. We married Aug. 9, 1942, and this marriage lasted 55 years, till Bernard's death on 3/22/1998, and all this was before the Internet! We were together 15 months, till Bernie went overseas in the war, and I went to Louisiana for a visit. Upon returning to Oakland, I went to work at Auto Motive in the office. They did service for Army and Navy parts. Dad Nigg opened a new store in Clarkston, WA, and wanted Bernard to run it, so we left California. We were so happy when I finally got pregnant. Sylvia was born on 8/30/1946. Dad Nigg and Bernie built a trailer park and ran it, and I kept the books from the renters. In 1952, after the store and trailer park sold, we moved to Tacoma, WA to Mom Nigg's. After 14 years since Sylvia's birth we were happily surprised when I got pregnant again, and Melissa was born on 8/26/1960. I am a breast cancer survivor of 17 years. I am a pioneer member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and loved the Lord completely. After an unexpected, sudden illness (36 hours), I passed away on 12/28/2011 at age 87. I passed peacefully with my family at my bedside. Private family services were held 1/2/2012. I was predeceased by "the love of my life" Bernard, in-laws Ben and Ruby Nigg, parents Albert and Ursula Moran, brothers Alex, Morris, John, Albert, and Andrew, and sister Rita. I am survived by sisters Argilee, Theresa, Ruth, and Bernardine, and brother JC, all of Louisiana, daughters Sylvia Gilliam (Guss), and Melissa Hager, grandsons Grant (Diane, children Josh and Raquel) and Jason Gilliam, and precious great-granddaughter Marissa Gilliam. Memorial contributions to food banks, homeless shelters, and breast cancer associations. We will love you always and forever, 'till we meet again.