In Memory of Mila Riggio

Bright smiles, huge heart,flaming spirit--that's forever, Mila. Your light is burning in all our hearts,lady love. None of us--the Sawtooths, the Wood River, the summer sun, winter moon and anyone who knew you will ever forget the woman you were. There's one more star in the heavens tonight, Mila, and we all know it's you. Forever.

And for God Sakes, don't worry about the kids. It takes a village and your village loves you and your babies. All will be well, though never the same as when you were here. "Grit it and go, girl!" Fare well you will indeed, Mila. The stars become you.
Forever yours,
Karen, Fred and Harper

Sunday, August 12 . . . keep your eyes to the skies tonight . . . The Universe is celebrating Mila's life with the Perseid meteor shower. Blessings to You Mila. Scott and Dayle

thanks for a great video. for those of us who knew mila outside of sun valley, it's great to hear from some of her friends there. what a life, what warmth.

may the long time sun shine upon you,
all love surround you,
and the pure light within you,
guide your way home (om)

mateja and tommy have all of us to count on...and we will not let them down.

how amazing to see in how many ways you affected others as you affected me - even in knowing you such a short time. you continue to inspire me. thanks to plum too, for this beautiful and inspirational tribute.

i love you mama.
:)

To see this wonderful tribute to Mila (Mimi,as I knew her in high school), it brought tears to my eyes and joy in my heart at the same time!! I hadn't seen Mimi since we graduated in 1978, but her memory for me is a strong and beautiful one: Mimi came to PA as that "cool girl" from California.....smart, funny, the total athlete (skiiing, cross- country/track, lacrosse...), style and awesome fashion sense, just gorgeous all the time, so amazingly kind, a friend to all. I will remember her laughter, her smile, her heart, and know she will ever shine in the hearts of those who were blessed to have known her!! To Mateja and Tommy, you will always have that beauty to carry with you through life---radiate that smile and people will know where your roots are!! Would love to hear from anyone who was close to Mila!

Thank you Plum for a touching memory of Mimi..She was one of a kind and a beautiful human being...Friend from her High School Days....From the sounds of the tibute she only grew to be more of a beautiful and life loving person from when I knew her...I will always remember her with positive thoughts....God Bless

I can't believe it's been over a year . . . . I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes remembering what a wonderful, beautiful person and what a great friend you always were and always will be. Mahalo nui loa to Plum for providing all of us pre-Idaho friends with such perfect memories. We will always love you Mimi!

Mimi, How sad I was to hear of your passing. Our 30 year high school reunion is coming in two weeks and I am so sorry you wont be there. I am happy to see you led such an exciting and fullfilling life. Your children are beautiful,as were you! May you rest in peace. Love, Merry

Mimi wore clogs and skirts to school, woolen hats with tassles, funky jewelry and (to our mother's chagrin), a skimpy string bikini that in our neck of the woods created a stir. But you got used to Mimi in a few seconds and didn't blink an eye at the next interesting thing she pulled out of her California suitcase.
She wasn't self-conscious nor seeking attention. She just had her style, her way and little doubt about being a teenager. She opened her house and family to her new Northeast friends and we began to learn how to really hang out, kick back, laugh at ourselves and own up to being conservative. Had we been that insulated? Or was she just a unique person.
Both probably. We shared our traditions in return. Bonfires on cold fall nights before football games, after-school track and field hockey, the backroad hilly Pennsylvania streets where we learned to drive (and occasionally drag race).. All the things that we knew since growing up from one spot and not having moved.
She was a force, spiritually bonding a group of friends to be more carefree, coming to us, kind of breezy and making a deep imprint all the same.
The first time she "howled" on the ski lift at Spring Mountain, we weren't sure what to do but ski a little better, faster, sleeker and yell for more. There was freedom in skiing in her path, she didn't look back to judge you, just let you follow in her tailwind. We could borrow some of her, but you couldn't "be" like her. She was too much her own self.

She asked once, "where do you guys get your hair done?" I wasn't sure how to answer that. We did hair at home, after a cut. "What about perms?" Stumped again. Her sister Paula led us to a small shop, Lansdale I think. Not the height of glamour for her, but certainly a step toward individualism for all of us. She got a perm, some highlights, maybe some of us did as well. She kept the perm, then straightened it and tossed it and pony-tailed it and still always looked like Mimi.
We were a foursome for awhile, Mimi, Becky, Pam and I. It was a well-framed friendship and kept us looking forward to adventures, down the shore, away on our own, at 16, skiing to Elk Mountain, (boys included), hiking in New Hope. It was easy to realize suddenly that there was more world out there.
I know we met her like a stolen treasure, some secret magic like a genie, who lent us her ability to find thrill just because she could easily imagine it.
Sharing life at that age is like indelible ink- It's good to know it stays with you no matter what. She stays with us, her old friends, her new friends, from both sides of the States and in the middle. We all have our own memories, the fact that they ring true with similar details proves she claimed her territory and lived an intended life. We believe she is just around the corner, still within reach and still intending the
fun of living, now for us to carry out.

Mimi's life has obviously given inspiration to many. What else is there? Although I did not know her well during our brief time in Wissahickon, seeing the images brought back feelings of comfort and home. I get the sense she carried and spread these sensations where ever she went. They say we live on in our children and our friends. It is clear Mimi lived well.