Marilyn Riley

Born to Eugene and Mary Young - Marilyn Young Riley, graced this world with her spirited presence from her birth on September 3, 1950. Raised in the vibrant neighborhood of the Lower East Side, New York, until her peaceful departure in her sleep on December 24, 2024, in the bustling heart of New York City. Marilyn's spirit was as indomitable as the city she called home. It is with a heavy heart and a smile on our faces that we bid farewell to a woman who lived a life as full and colorful as the bingo cards she so loved.
Marilyn's journey began as a bright-eyed graduate of Fashion Institute High School, where she acquired a flair for the dramatic and an unwavering voice that would echo throughout her life. Her professional path took root at Gouverneur Hospital, where she started humbly as a cashier. Over 25 years, her dedication and characteristic advocacy for patients catapulted her to the role of Staff Liaison, a title she wore like a badge of honor.
But Marilyn was more than her job titles and accomplishments. She was the life of the party, a woman who could turn a simple game of spades or bingo into a raucous festival of joy. Her laughter was the soundtrack to many gatherings, and her passion for music and fun was as palpable as the beat of a drum. In a world that often takes itself too seriously, Marilyn was a reminder that the journey is just as important as the destination.
She shared her adventurous spirit with her beloved friends and family, including her daughter Tunisia K. Riley, her sister Loretta Young, her brother Brian Young, her son-in-law Damian Driver, and her grandsons Rayvon McCray, Dylan, and Dean Riley-Driver. Uncle Ray and Aunt Millie Mobley, along with a host of grand-nieces, nephews, and loving cousins, with whom also basked in the warmth of Marilyn's exuberant presence.
In describing Marilyn, words like spirited, passionate, and adventurous barely scratch the surface. She was a comet streaking across the sky, leaving a trail of love, laughter, and memories in her wake. Her approach to life was best summed up by the great Robin Williams, who once said, "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." Marilyn not only kept her spark, but she also used it to light up the world around her.
Those who knew Marilyn will remember the twinkle in her eye as she plotted her next escapade or the way she would throw her head back in laughter, inviting everyone to join in the fun. She was a testament to living life on one's own terms, with a heart wide open to the possibilities each day held.
As we celebrate Marilyn's life, we imagine her now, cracking jokes with the angels and organizing the most heavenly bingo night imaginable. Her parting is not a goodbye but an intermission until we meet again. For in the stories we share and the echoes of laughter that linger, Marilyn Young Riley will forever be an indelible part of our lives.
So, here's to Marilyn, a woman who sang and danced through life - no matter how easy or hard times were and smiled with the mischievousness of a child. Her legacy is not one of sorrow but of the joy and love she so freely gave. May her laughter continue to resonate in the hearts of those she touched, and may her spirit inspire us all to embrace the madness that makes life worth living.
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