Dorothy Riley

1926 - 2011

Our dear wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Dorothy Riley, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2011, surrounded by her family. She was 84.
She was born Sept. 29, 1926, in Logan, Utah, daughter of Hazel and Edgar Everton. She graduated from Logan High School in 1944 and went on to study at Southern Utah State College and Utah State University where she earned a bachelor of science degree in English and library science.
After teaching high school English and working as a librarian, she returned to USU to work as an administrative assistant in the Civil Engineering Department where she met her lifelong sweetheart, John Paul Riley, who was pursing his master's degree. Dorothy and Paul were married June 1, 1952, and were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple.
Following their marriage, Dorothy and Paul lived in Oregon and British Columbia, Canada, where their four children were born. They returned to settle in Logan in 1963.
Dorothy was a loving, devoted mother who dedicated much of her life to nurturing her and Paul's four children, David, Pam, Steven and Heather. She was always her children's and grandchildren's biggest cheerleader, attending many sporting events and numerous artistic performances throughout the years. Later in life, her eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren brought her endless joy. Time spent at Grandma's house was always special and exciting.
Dorothy was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in numerous positions in her various wards and has faithfully created her ward's newsletter for the last 35 years. She and Paul fulfilled a service mission for the church in Salt Lake City from 1993 to 1996.
Throughout the years, Dorothy worked in many positions at her family's business, Everton's Hardware, a longtime fixture in downtown Logan. She participated in many community activities including Cache Historical Society, Big Blue Club and Town and Gown. She also enjoyed membership in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and Belletrist reading group, and she and Paul were members of the Old Main Society at USU.
Dorothy had many interests but especially loved the performing arts. As season ticket holders, Dorothy and Paul could often be found at performances of the Old Lyric Theater, Utah Festival Opera & Music Theatre, events at the Ellen Eccles Theater and the Utah Symphony; and whether it was a round of cribbage or "Riley" rummy, another of Dorothy's greatest joys was sitting down to a game with friends, family and grandchildren. Dorothy was a talented seamstress and loved all kinds of puzzles, British comedies and mysteries and was an avid reader and particularly fond of mystery novels. Most of all, she loved spending time doing anything and everything with her family.
Paul's work took him around the world, and Dorothy was his traveling companion on many occasions. Paul and Dorothy made many wonderful memories traveling together to numerous locations including Egypt, Israel, China, Japan, India, Europe, West Africa, South America and Mexico and throughout the United States. The two also loved to travel for pleasure and enjoyed many trips and cruises with friends and family. The Riley family made regular trips to their cabin on the beautiful Shuswap Lake in British Columbia where they spent many happy summer days together with family and friends.
Dorothy leaves behind her brother Richard and was preceded in death by her mother and father; sister, Mildred; and brother, Robert.
Dorothy's spirit will live on in the many cherished memories she leaves with her family. Surviving are her husband, Paul; and children and spouses, David and Holly Riley of Draper, Utah, Pam and Bill Green of Heber City, Utah, Steven and Kelle Riley of Port Townsend, Wash., and Heather Riley and Brian Fryer of West Jordan, Utah. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Kolby, Kestle, Brooks, Whitney, Samantha, Katelyn, Emma and Olivia; as well as great-grandchildren, Kaedynce, Kynlee and Kaetyn. Her family is comforted by the knowledge she is with those she loves and can enjoy endless card games in which she is always the winner. Paul comments: "Our relationship has given me a taste of the true love of Christ."
Funeral services will be held at noon Tuesday, July 26, at the Logan Northwood Ward, 125 E. 500 North in Logan. Viewings will be held Monday, July 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 E. 400 North in Logan, and Tuesday, July 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the funeral at the Northwood Ward. Graveside services will be held following the funeral with interment at the Logan Cemetery. Dorothy's family wishes to thank all of their family and friends for their love and support. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com.