Obituary of Mildred Riley

Mildred M. Riley (nee Mahoney) Age 96, of Joliet, IL, passed peacefully, Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home. Born January 22, 1920 in Berwick, IL to the late Aleta Rose (nee Rice) and Jerry Mahoney, she was a longtime Joliet resident. Former Vice President of Eby-Brown Co. of Joliet, Inc. She worked as a secretary in civil service during WWII wherever her husband, Richard, was stationed. Mildred was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Presence St. Joseph Medical Center Women's Auxiliary, Joliet Country Club and Quail Ridge Country Club in Boynton Beach, FL. Her greatest gift in life was that she was being the "greatest encourager". She always stood behind her family with unwavering support. One of her favorite sayings was, "smile, laugh, be happy and most of all...breathe". Millie always enjoyed riding her pony Dixie to her one room schoolhouse. She was also very proud of the free oil change she won for a Hole-in-One in 1976. Mildred loved playing cards and was an accomplished bridge player. If you sat down across from her you didn't know it, but you were in trouble! Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Richard W. Riley; her parents; three sisters, Edith Mahoney, Gertrude Anderson and Dorothy Day; two brothers, Earl and Leo Mahoney and dear niece, Mary Vollert. Surviving are two sons, Patrick and her daughter-in-law Lois Riley of Joliet and Michael of New York City; four grandchildren, Benjamin Riley of Elwood, IL, Daniel Riley of Chicago, Rebecca (Ted) Allen of Broomfield, CO, and Alison (Damon) Bluhm of Kalamazoo, MI; one great granddaughter, Claire Allen; numerous nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law, Fran Riley of East Peoria, IL and Carol Mahoney of Macomb, IL. Funeral Services for Mildred M. Riley will be held at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Ave. Joliet, IL where visitation will be held Monday May 2, 2016 from 3-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday May 3, 2016 at Our Lady of Angels Chapel at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. Memorials in her name to Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home would be appreciated. For more information: (815) 741-5500 or visit her book of memories at www.fredcdames.com