Barbara L Riley

Barbara Lee Riley, age 79, quietly passed away on Friday, January 28th at Jefferson Health Care in Lee’s Summit MO where she had been a resident for 10 years. She was born on July 6, 1931, in Kansas City, MO, the daughter of Fred S. and Rosemary C. Riley, long-term parishioners of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. She was a graduate of St. Elizabeth’s, St. Teresa’s Academy, and in 1952 of St. Teresa’s College (now Avila University). At St. Louis University, she earned a Master’s of Science in 1954. She taught mathematics at Nazareth College in Rochester NY and then returned to Kansas City. She worked for AT&T, and had other jobs throughout her life, eventually retiring from Maritz Inc. Her strong Catholic faith sustained her during years of chronic illness. She was an active member of the Catholic Alumni Club, and of a Catholic pentecostal group. Despite facing personal challenges, she was characteristically upbeat, bright, and enthusiastic, and had a wry wit; travel photography was a special delight. Barbara enjoyed and loved her friends and relatives dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Rosemary Dolores Sweet, and her brother Frederick S. Riley. She is survived by her brothers Arthur Lawrence Riley of Richland MI and Robert Joseph Riley of Philadelphia PA. Also surviving are 7 nieces including Kathleen (Kathy) Brewer of Overland Park KS, Deborah Lindberg of Vermont, and Elizabeth (Betsy) Smith of Lee’s Summit, and 6 nephews.

Visitation will be at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line from 3:00pm to 5:00pm Sunday, January 30th.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 75th and Main, at 1 P.M. Monday, January 31st. Memorial contributions should be directed to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.