Alice M. Riordan

Riordan, Alice M.
LATHAM - Alice M. Riordan passed from this life on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the age of 91.
Born in Buffalo she was one of nine children born into the family of Francis and Marguerite (Malek) Swistak. Alice spent all of her formative years in Buffalo and was a graduate of South Park High School. Following her graduation Alice worked for a short while but soon after contracted Tuberculosis. She convalesced for two years at Mount Morris Tuberculosis Hospital in Livingston County where, while battling her illness, she acquired a tenaciousness that she would carry with her for the rest of her life. Alice married Matthew D. Riordan Jr. in 1958 and moved to Rensselaer, where they began their family. They also resided in Schenevus, N.Y. for a brief time before moving to Latham in 1966, where Alice resided until shortly after her husband's passing in 2015. In recent years, she lived with her daughter Kathleen. Alice's early married years were dedicated to her family and home. She enjoyed crocheting, a skill she learned while passing time at Mount Morris, and crafted numerous items but primarily afghans and blankets, which she gave as gifts to her family and hats and mittens for homeless veterans. Alice loved children of all ages and welcomed the friends of her children into her home and at her table. In more recent years her grandchildren's activities helped to fill her time as well as her heart with pride. Alice was employed as a child care provider both privately and at St. Colman's Day Care in Watervliet. She treasured Sunday dinners at home with her family.
Alice was beloved wife of the late Matthew D. Riordan Jr.; loving mother of the late Michael Riordan who passed away at the age of three; and dear sister of the late Helen (Hank), Bernard (Helen), Walter (Marie), William (Betty), Mathew, Leo (Nancy), Frances (Francis) and Anna (Hank); and the late sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Daniel Curtin. She is survived by her loving children, Kathleen Riordan, Matthew D. Riordan, III (Rebecca), Timothy Riordan (Barbara), Sean Riordan and Mark Riordan (Ona); her cherished grandchildren, Hannah Riordan-Bryson (Stuart), Matthew D. Riordan, IV "Mango", Katie Riordan and Meghan Riordan. Lenny Pangburn, her neighbor, was cared for by Alice and became a part of her immediate family. Aunt Alice held a special place in the hearts of her numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A special heartfelt thank you is extended to Dr. Mary Ellen Drislane, as well as to the nurses and staff of the Ellis Hospital Intensive Care Unit, for their care and support during Alice's stay.
Alice's funeral will begin on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 9 a.m. from the Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham and then proceed to St. Madeleine Sophie Church, 3500 Carman Road, Guilderland, where the funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. by Very Reverend James Belogi, pastor. The Rite of Committal and interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Friends are invited and may visit with the Riordan family on Friday, May 19, 2023, from 4 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers in honor of Alice are welcome as well as gifts to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1 Marcus Blvd. #104, Albany, NY 12205, or St. Madeleine Sophie School, 3510 Carman Road, Schenectady, NY 12303.
To leave words of comfort and condolence for Alice's family, please visit www.Bowenandparkerbros.com.