Barbara Hilty Riley

Barbie, Barb, Barbara Ann, Mom, BeBe. Barbara Hilty Riley had many versions of her name during her life—the last two her favorites. She was the youngest girl in her family. The only one who stayed married for fifty years, through all the ups and downs, including the loss of her oldest son, Cullen. She and Wayne were meant to be. He was the handsome big brother to her high school friend, and truly the life partner she deserved. He moved to heroic levels in aiding her in her five-year Herculean fight with cancer. She never would have gotten through without his love, support, and hands-on commitment.

Barb was supposed to be the flighty one…cute, girly, tap dancing her way through life. Yet when her dad died and mother remarried, moving outside of Houston, Barb stepped up and took in her brother, Bruce, four years her junior. She became his residence of record so he could finish high school with his friends. “Mom” to a teenager when she was barely out of her teens herself. They both turned out pretty great, so it must have worked.

She never thought of herself as academic. Yet she picked finance and earned her degree in business while working full-time. She managed the finances for Wayne’s family business for thirty years, growing close to his mother, Muriel, who worked with them sharing life lessons and her wisdom. Barb and Wayne later founded their own business as equal partners.

Barb’s whimsey came out in many ways. She authored and published two romance novels. She beat all of the writers in the family in getting a novel on her shelf—her mom followed with six children’s historical novels, and her sister Wendy’s first novel won’t hit the shelves until this fall.

She also was an accomplished crafter, especially needlepoint, rug hooking, and embroidery. She created amazing and beautiful things for her family, grandkids and friends. If you’d asked her what she considered her greatest achievements you wouldn’t be surprised that they were her sons, Cullen and Brent, and her granddaughters, Caroline, Charlotte and Eloise. Barb kept a firm grasp on the important things in her life. She designed her work around her kids, including supporting every sport offered from first through twelfth grade, whether football, soccer, or even hockey. Her husband, Wayne, had the same commitment to his kids and family. They clung to each other and to Brent to get through Cullen’s untimely death. Such a horrific thing crushes some marriages. It made theirs stronger.

No prouder grandmother and grandfather existed with the birth of Brent and Kacey’s daughters, Caroline, Charlotte, and Eloise. Not being the “granny” type, the girls quickly dubbed her BeBe. Barb and Wayne took the girls’ sporting endeavors as seriously as they had with their sons—whether soccer, tennis, swimming and any other activity under the sun.

Barb didn’t travel much. The idea of travelling over the ocean never appealed to her. They did family trips and enjoyed Texas and its environs, with occasional girls’ trips to New York or Vegas. She didn’t like public speaking, so she joined Toast Masters, rising to the top of the class and serving as president of the local group.

She cherished her friends, maintaining a decades long Bunko group, and a Mah Jong crew after retiring. Her best friend Paula was with her for more than fifty years. They were as close as sisters, maybe closer because they wove their connections without the baggage that sometimes comes with family. Whether living blocks away or off in Hawaii or the hill country, Paula was always there when needed for fun or support. Barb called her their angel.

Barb stayed close to Bruce and Wendy, helping to fill the gap left after her mother’s death with family feasts and celebrations. When all is said and done, Barbara Ann Hilty Riley, was a quiet, powerful, gracious, beautiful, intelligent, warm and wonderful sister, friend, wife, mother, and grandmother. She was well loved and is sorely missed by her husband, Wayne; son, Brent and his wife Kacey and their three daughters; as well as the Hilty clan, the Riley crew, and her innumerable friends.

Following a private interment, her friends and family will gather at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Dr., for a celebration of her life on Tuesday, September 20th at 11:00AM. For information on the services and to read Barbara’s Memorial Eulogy, please visit Forest Park Westheimer’s website.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Riley family.