January 20, 1930 - September 16, 2022
Riley, Marie passed away peacefully surrounded by friends Friday the 16th of September. Marie was born the youngest child of an Irish-American family. She was born and raised with her sister in Boston. Marie graduated from Roslindale High School, received her BA from Emanuel, MS from Fordham, MA from Notre Dame, Indiana and PHD from Boston College. Marie was a French and English High School teacher in Notre Dame Schools in Somerville, Providence, Brighton, Waltham and Peabody; a special education teacher in Holliston, Waltham, Special Education Administrator in Lawrence. Marie retired from Holliston as a Middle School Principal. Marie enjoyed vacationing/traveling to many countries including Ireland, Italy, Holland, Greece, Mexico, China, Japan, the Caribbean and throughout the United States. She loved gardening, walking through the Arnold Arboretum, attending Boston Symphony concerts, taking and teaching courses at HILR at Harvard with her friend, Jackie Jacobs; as well as participating in book clubs. She was a voracious reader, especially books on the Civil War which her grandfather had fought in and who had escaped from the Andersonville prison. In addition, she loved biographies of the US Presidents, artists and musicians as well as Mysteries.
Marie is survived by her second cousins, Marguerite Riley and Eileen Riley. She had joy and great support from Gayle and Evan Williams, Marion and Jim Finnell, Eleanor and Jim Freiburger, Ann and Richard Madigan, Joan Bevers, Tricia Basque, Joanne Maynard, Mary Joyce, Pat McSweeney, Mary Culhane, Peggy Landry and Bonnie Reynolds. Marie was predeceased by her Parents Gertrude Meagher and Francis Riley, her sister Eileen Riley Maspero and Eileen’s husband Louis Maspero. Marie, we pray that you enjoy a peace filled reunion with your loved ones who have gone before you.
Funeral from The Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St. WEst Roxbury on Thursday September 22, at 11:00 am. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in the Holy Name Church at 11:30 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Visiting hours in the funeral home on Thursday morning from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.
Donations may be made in her memory to MSPCA, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.
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