Rita R. Riley

Rita R. Riley, age 91, passed away peacefully in the Ellis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Norwood, Massachusetts on Saturday, January 20, 2018. Born in Norwood on January 29, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Joseph E. and Margaret M. (Keady) Riley. She was raised in Norwood and graduated from Norwood High School with the Class of 1944. She continued her education at Radcliffe College, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in 1948.

Rita took a position with the Northborough High School, working as a foreign language teacher, teaching both French and Spanish. After 20 years of teaching, Rita changed careers, taking a position with Allyn and Bacon, working as a text book editor. She retired in the mid-1980s after over 25 years of dedicated service and settled in Walpole, Massachusetts.

Throughout her life, Rita was devoted to her Catholic Faith. In her younger years she was a member of Saint Catherine's Church in Norwood and after settling in Walpole, she became an active member of Blessed Sacrament Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She also kept her ties strong with Saint Catherine's over the years, participating in prayer groups there often. As an avid traveler, Rita made many pilgrimages to the Holy Land and religious locations around the world. She also took many memorable vacations, her favorite being Hawaii. At home she loved cheering on her beloved New England Patriots and was one of the original season ticket holders. Her strong faith, generosity, sense of humor and kind and gentle nature will be greatly missed by all those fortunate enough to have known her.

Devoted daughter of the late Joseph E. and Margaret M. (Keady) Riley.
Loving sister of the late Veronica Ann Riley and Joseph E. Riley.
Also survived by her cousins, Elizabeth, Martha, and Julie.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Rita's visitation on Friday, January 26, 2018 from 11-11:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 12:00 Noon. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery in Norwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Rita's name may be made to either The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 101A First Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451 or Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.