Auntie Marianna

Marianna Riddick was one of my mother's best friends.  They met at college and remained close all through the years.  We kids always called her Auntie Marianna.  She was the best entertainer!  She played the piano and sang with us.  She held all our kittens.  She wrote and illustrated voluminous letters. Mother said of Marianna just today, "Marianna was the most truly genuine person I have ever known."

Marianna Riddick, July 2010

Marianna passed away on April 5 at the age of 90.

Jan. 17, 1922 - Apr. 5, 2012

LAGRANGE - Marianna Riddick, age 90, died on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, IN. Marianna was born on January 17, 1922 in Plymouth, Indiana, the only child of Paul Merrill and Lois Lucille (Dilley) Riddick. The family moved to LaGrange in 1928 when Mr. Riddick assumed ownership and editorship of the LaGrange Standard and News. Marianna graduated from LaGrange High School in 1939. She attended Albion College before receiving an undergraduate music degree from Ball State and a master's degree from Northwestern University.  She studied foreign language while studying and performing opera at LaScala Opera in Milan, Italy. In 1963, she was awarded the outstanding music alumnus of the year from Ball State University. The greater number of her teaching years were spent as a music teacher and administrator in the South Bend Community School Corporation, where she wrote and produced a series of music lessons that were broadcast on the school's Educational Radio station, WETL. She was an active member of several musical and educational organizations including Tri-Kappa Sorority and Delta Kappa Gamma, a teacher's honorary organization. She was member of the First United Methodist Church in South Bend, IN. Upon retirement in 1981, Marianna returned to her parents' home in LaGrange. She was active in Coterie, the LaGrange Cultural Arts Council, the LaGrange County Retired Teachers Association and a member of the First United Methodist Church in LaGrange, IN. Marianna has no immediate family survivors.

Published in South Bend Tribune on April 7, 2012

While studying voice in Italy, Marianna lived with Adriano Bogoni and his wife Maria Pia near Milan.  Adriano was an artist and did this portrait of Marianna.  Below are a self-portrait and a portrait of Maria.

Virginia and Marianna at the Riddick home.

Marianna and Virginia at the Touby home. 

Virginia and Marianna in July, 2006

Virginia and Marianna with Stephanie, Sarah and Emily

Marianna and Jane

Marianna and Nancy

Marianna and Virginia - July 2010