Age 93. Passed away peacefully at home on July 16, 2008. A resident of Westville for over 50 years, Mary was born in Camden, NJ in 1914 where she enjoyed life with her Italian-born parents, Pasquale and Elizabeth DiGiacomo, her 5 brothers, Michael, Carmen, Johnny, Louie, Junior (Pat) and sister Jenny Stanton. Mary’s natural mother (by birth), Lucia DeFrancisco, died when Mary was only 3 years old. She is survived by her son, Reed Riley, Son-in-Law Arne T. Eliasen and family, grandchildren Daniel Eliasen and Nancy (nee Eliasen) Moran and husband Paul, and great-grandchildren Carley and Emmie Moran. In 1937, Mary met the love of her life, Frank Riley, who 3 years later would become her loving and devoted husband of over 65 years. Frank passed away 2 years ago at age 91. Mary knew the meaning of the word “work”, scrubbing floors as a young girl for 18 cents an hour. Later in life she went to work for Lit Brothers department store in Camden in 1955, rising through the ranks to the level of executive secretary. Although Irish by marriage, Mary remained Italian from head to toe. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. Her crabs and spaghetti and crabcakes were a real treat for K9 officers from Philadelphia to Glassboro, Cherry Hill and beyond. She greatly enjoyed the company of her family, especially playing card games after dessert with Carley and Emmie. A proud and beautiful lady inside and out, Mary was deeply religious and a loyal parishioner of St. Anne’s Church in Westville for over 50 years. She will be sadly missed by all but forgotten by none who knew her. A viewing will take place at St. Anne’s R.C. Church in Westville on Monday, July 21 from 8:30 to 9:45 am, followed by Mass of Christian burial at 10 am. Mary will then be joining her late husband Frank, who will be so happy to see her, at New St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr. Their souls are joined together, forever, in heaven. In lieu of flowers, Mary would appreciate donations to the church she loved so dearly, St. Anne’s R.C. Church in Westville: 213 Woodbine Avenue, Westville, NJ 08093, Phone: 856-456-4136 to the attention of Father Link. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Mary S. Riley. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City. Phone: 856-456-1142.
