Mary Esther Rivett

Mary passed away peacefully on October 26, 2026 after a multi-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Mary was born the first of seven children on August 7, 1935 in North St. Paul to Neville and Esther Ecker. She married Raymond Rivett in February 1955 and they had one child, Suzanne.

Mary supported Ray in building a successful Electrical Contracting business while she worked as an Executive Secretary for the Army Corps of Engineers. Both had a love of flying and purchased a Cessna 172 and enjoyed many trips and flying adventures. Later, when their flying days were over, they enjoyed many days on their boat on the St. Croix river. Mary and Ray also designed and built a unique 10-sided home in Afton, MN which they were extremely proud of. In August of 1984, Ray suffered an unrecoverable construction accident and subsequently passed in February, 1985.

Mary had a passion for the arts, plants and flowers and especially Japan. She was particularly enamored with Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Her love of Ikebana took her to Japan, and she studied the art form under the Sogetsu School in Minnesota. She also became a Master Gardener and was a member of both the Stillwater and Hudson Garden Clubs. She was very much involved with the Como Park Japanese garden and participated in many tours and events. Mary was extremely creative in working with a variety of crafts and especially pottery. She had a love of God's creatures, particularly cats and dogs, that she always called "sweethearts" even if it was a butterfly.

Mary loved to travel and she and significant other Bill Homme went on many cruises taking them to many ports around the world. Mary was known for her funny personality, loving heart, strong will, independence, generosity, and a little bit of feistiness. She leaves behind a legacy of family, love, laughter, strength, and creativity.

Mary is survived by her daughter Suzanne (Gary) Leech; grandsons, Anthony (Meg) Leech, Darren (Lena) Leech; and great grandchildren, Zoey, Cason, Braxton and Adrian. Brother, Edward (Roxanne); sister, Ione. and many other friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond; brothers, Walter, Arnold, Lloyd, and Robert.

A visitation and Celebration of Life service followed by a luncheon will take place on Monday, November 23rd, starting at 10:00 am, at Bradshaw, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, MN.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association , Como Park Friends, or any animal support groups or societies.