Debra Lynn Riley

1961 - 2019

Debra Lynn Riley passed away peacefully on Thursday January 17, 2019 at the age of 57. She was born in San Francisco, California on July 21, 1961, the second of five children to Jacque¬line Cerf Riley and the late Emile Ed¬ward Riley, Jr. M.D. The eldest girl, Debra was raised in a loving family where she was taught to be a God fear¬ing, loving and compassionate woman. She adored her nephew Brett R. Cyprian and her four nieces: Sydney Cyprian, Erin Riley, Alexis Riley, and Sarah Brown, and doted on all of them. Debra worked in health¬care and had a passion for helping others in the healthcare field. Her healthcare career included serving in administrative roles at Charity Hospital, Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals, HealthSpring and the Harris Health System in Houston, Texas. She was educated in catholic high school and parochial schools first attending St. Aloysius Catholic School, Cheektowaga, NY and in New Orleans St. Gabriel the Archangel Elementary School, St. Frances Cabrini Elementary, St. Joseph Academy. She then entered St. Mary's Dominican College to earn her Bachelor of Science degree. Debra obtained her Master's in Health Administration (MHA) from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. After Hurricane Katrina, Debra relocated to Houston, Texas where she continued her career and life focused on serving others. With a thirst for knowledge, Debra was furthering her studies in elderly care. Her benevolence has left an indelible mark on all those who had the pleasure to meet her. "Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die." Isaiah 57: 1-2 She is preceded in death by her father, Emile Edward Riley, Jr. M.D. Debra is survived by her mother, Jacqueline Cerf Riley; her broth¬ers, Wayne J. Riley, M.D., MBA, MPH and Steven E. Riley; her sisters, Monique M. Riley-Cyprian and Michelle M. Riley-Brown; her nephew, Brett R. Cyprian; and her nieces, Sydney Cyprian, Erin Riley, Alexis Riley and Sarah Brown; her sister in law, Dr. Charlene Dewey-Riley and brothers in law, Roy Joseph Cyprian Jr. and James E. Brown Jr.; and a host of extended family and friends. The funeral will be held Saturday, January 26 with a viewing at 9:00 am and services beginning 10 am at St. Peter Claver Church, 1923 St. Philip St., New Orleans. Interment will be private. Flowers may be sent to the Charbonnet Labat Family Funeral Ser¬vices, 1615 St. Philip St, New Orleans, 70116