After Goldie Rigetti’s death of cancer in 2022, her daughter-in-law Debbie decided to take Goldie’s traditional relish recipe upon herself — it is so popular she is now selling it as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army.
“So, Goldie Rigetti died a couple years ago, she was 90, and she was here for many years, farming,” Debbie Rigetti explained. “I married her son, obviously, and he couldn’t raid her pantry anymore. I’ve never canned it before, but I thought I’d give it a try, and it turned out really good!”
Rigetti admitted that she is not, herself, a ‘relish person.’ Nevertheless, the experience has turned out to be a heartwarming journey of remembrance for a woman beloved as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. It is also a way to remember the March 6 date of her passing.
“I thought, well, I’ll give out the little jars of relish to (everyone), and I couldn’t believe the stories they all told me about her. And I thought, how many people did she know and how many lives did she touch? And what a nice way to get out there and donate something to these friends and get these stories back in return.”
Rigetti said that the experience of making Goldie’s Relish — which taste-testers so far evaluate as delicious — inspired her to raise money for charity in Goldie’s name.
Rigetti had a difficult life growing up and describes himself as a former ‘street kid.’ That’s why she chose the Salvation Army, because they helped her find a stable foster home when she was 14. She still regularly visits the people who took her in all those years ago.
Rigetti has raised $600 to date and pledged to donate ‘absolutely’ every proceed to charity, starting with the Salvation Army. Other charities she wants to help include Riverside Mission and the Moose Jaw Transition House.
She sent out a special thank you to everyone who has bought the relish so far, and especially to Dr. Mike Barker at Main Street Dental, whose early donation established the charity fund.
“The reviews are awesome, and it’s good about everything!” she added. “It isn’t just for hot dogs, my husband puts it on all kinds of things.”
Goldie’s Relish is available for sale at The Shop Moose Jaw, located at the Civic Center Plaza on 1251 Main Street. It is a gluten-free ‘old farm’ recipe that takes people back to the familiar feelings of childhood.
Questions about Goldie’s Relish can be directed to Debbie Rigetti at 306-690-8780.