Joan G Riordan

Mary Joan Guthrie Riordan of Mechanicsburg passed away at the Messiah Village nursing home on April 14. Mrs. Riordan was born on May 1, 1925, in Newark, NJ, to Thomas Francis Guthrie and Sara Marie Brennan Guthrie. She grew up in the Vailsburg neighborhood of Newark, where she attended Sacred Heart Grammar School. She was graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, NJ, with a Classical Diploma and honors in Latin. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and English from the College of New Rochelle, where she was on her class swim and water ballet team and participated in many other activities, including the Spanish Club, Scribblers writing group, Poetry Club, Peace Group, Glee Club and dramatic society. After her undergraduate degree, Mrs. Riordan taught in Newark area schools and also began a Master's degree at the Teacher's College of Columbia University. She received her permanent teaching certificate in 1953.

In 1953, Mrs. Riordan married Thomas S. Riordan, and shifted her teaching interests to her six children. During her marriage, she lived in Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. She had a life-long interest in poetry, music, and literature. She was a substitute teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Elmira, NY. While living in Hampden Township, she was a reading volunteer at Good Shepherd School and Reading for the Blind. She also was a member of the choir at the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Mrs. Riordan is preceded in death by several beloved family members, including her husband, Thomas S. Riordan, her brothers Joseph and Thomas, and her sister Nancy, who died in infancy. She leaves her children, James Timothy Riordan of West Newton, MA, Sara R. Head of Hopkinton, NH, John Matthew Riordan of Stonington, CT, Nancy R. Bowman of Carlisle Springs, PA, David J. Riordan of Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK, and Christopher R. Riordan of Holland, MI. She also leaves her brother Robert Guthrie, of Stoney Creek, NC. In addition, Mrs Riordan leaves her 15 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be Wednesday, April 18, 2012, from 6-8 PM at Neill Funeral Home, 3401 Market St. Camp Hill, PA

Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted 11:00 AM Thursday, April 19, 2012, from Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 3435 Trindle Rd. Camp Hill, PA. Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, PA.

The Riordan family would like to thank the staff of Messiah Village for the care they provided for our mother during her stay there, especially during her most recent illness. Rest in peace, Mom.

Memorial contribuitons can be made to:Operation Smile (https://www.operationsmile.org) or

The Kusasa Project (http://www.thekusasaproject.org/)