Riley, Patricia 10/14/1946 - 12/23/2019 Grand Rapids Patricia G. Riley of 2416 Okemos Drive SE, Grand Rapids, passed away unexpectedly at age 73 on December 23, 2019, at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids. Pat was born on October 14, 1946, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, to Col. Edgar B. Warner, Jr., USA, of Waco TX, and Ann May Maguire, of Devon, CT. She attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities. Pat and her surviving spouse, Robert J. (Bob) Riley, were married on September 6, 1969, in East Lansing, Michigan. Pat and Bob moved to Grand Rapids in 1975, where they have remained members of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish. Pat has been preceded in death by her father and by an infant son, Michael, who was born and died in Grand Rapids in June of 1982. She is survived by her mother, Ann "Molly", by four younger siblings, Pamela, Frank, Mary and John, and by her four children, Jessica (Jorge), Neal (Erika), Livia "Libby" (Alfredo), and Kevin, and by three grandchildren, Roman, Caspar, and Benji. Pat's surviving children all live in Grand Rapids, excepting Libby who lives in Portland, Oregon. Among her numerous interests and service organizations, Pat was a member of Junior League, a licensed realtor, an accomplished and recognized amateur genealogist, who has conducted research nationwide, accompanied by Bob, and, more frequently in recent years, by Jessica. She was a tour guide at Blandford Nature Center, and an avid student of British history and linguistics. She was active in the civil rights movement and spent the summer of 1967 teaching at Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, for which service she was later honored by the NAACP. She was much loved and will be dearly missed by numerous family and friends. The family wishes to particularly thank and recognize, our friend and neighbor, Mrs. Catherine Biggart, in this regard. Family will greet friends and relatives on Sunday, December 29, 2019 from 6-8PM at O'Brien Eggebeen Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, with a Vigil at 7:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, December 30 at 11AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1935 Plymouth Ave SE, Grand Rapids, Rev. Troy Nevins and Rev. William Vander Werff presiding. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. The family would appreciate that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in Pat's name consider a gift to Caritas Internationalis, https://www.caritas.org.
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Dear Neal and Family,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your mom. I did not know her well, but my memories of her are of a kind, faithful, joyful and vibrant woman. It is always hard to lose your mom - but to lose her so suddenly, and so early, is especially shattering. You have been in my heart and prayers these days, and you will remain there in the days to come.
With fondness and love,
Mary Vaccaro
Mary Vaccaro
December 30, 2019
Jessica and family. So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved mother. You are all in my thoughts.
Larinda Fase
December 29, 2019
So sad to hear about your wife. Prayers will be said for her.
sherry&Robert Greene
December 29, 2019
Dear Pat my first cousin! We were kids together in our grandmother's house in Waco. This is a shock but we are never ready to lose a loved one. I was so looking forward to seeing you at Aunt Molly's birthday next weekend.
I know you are with God my prayers are with your family.
Jeannie (Alexander) Samples
December 29, 2019
I have so many great memories of my big sister! I remember the excitement of her wedding, the joy of her visits home to Ft. Sheridan and Sycamore, many days when she took me out bowling, a weekend away to stay at Pat and Bob's Detroit apartment, so many Christmas visits in Sycamore (holidays didn't really begin until all my older siblings came into town), vacations in the Ozarks, and many long phone conversations about genealogy, politics, family, Survivor, etc. She was a great example of grace, intellect, and wit and she taught me some very important life lessons from my earliest years to the present. The loss of Pat creates such a void in our family, one that will never be filled.
John Warner
December 29, 2019
My memory will always be the holidays we shared. I would arrive to find the door always open, no one ever needed to knock. Be it Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas the house would be beautifully decorated, the food delicious and plentiful, and Pat relaxed, eager to chat, making it all look so easy. Even more amazing in light of all her other activities. Most of all, she made a happy home and filled it with love, her adoring children, husband, and many friends as proof. She was a rare soul who was called home too soon. I am sure St. Peter left the gate open, no need for her to knock.
Roxanne Victor
December 27, 2019
I met Pat as part of a monthly book club that eventually dwindled down to just the two of us over the last several years. We didn't always necessarily read the same book but we always had plenty to talk about nonetheless. Pat was informed and knowledgeable about so many things plus she never stopped learning or researching new topics. Her enthusiasm was boundless and I so looked forward to seeing her on the second Tuesday of each month. For the rest of my life I'll never finish a good book without wondering what she would have thought of it, or hear an interesting story without wishing I could share it with her. I miss her already.
Christine Ragains
December 27, 2019
Your mother sounds like an amazing woman with diverse interests and talents. No doubt your mother will always be with you.
Kim Gates
December 27, 2019
a loved one
December 27, 2019
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Dec
29
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel - Grand Rapids3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Dec
29
7:30 p.m.
O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel - Grand Rapids3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
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O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel - Grand Rapids3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
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