Kathleen Joy Riley

Kathleen Joy Riley passed away suddenly on April 14, 2023, at the age of 78. A devoted mother, paraprofessional and homemaker whose life was centered on family, Kathy was born and raised in Sellersville, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Gus and Evelyn Tornetta and younger sister of Edward Tornetta.

In 1966, she married the love of her life, Edward Riley, and they had five children. Early in their marriage, Ed and Kathy raised their family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, then the family moved to Rockaway, New Jersey, where Ed was a Boy Scouts Ranger at Camp Winnebago and Animal Control Officer.

Following Ed’s passing in 2002, Kathy moved to Linden, New Jersey, where she worked at Linden School 4. Kathy loved and was loved by her students, and she equally enjoyed playing games and helping with homework. She retired from her position in 2019 after 16 years of service.

Kathy loved spending time with her family most of all, followed by a day of shopping, baking cookies, spending summers with her brother and enjoying his gardens, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies and playing Yahtzee. Above all, Kathy will be remembered as Grammy, rolling on the floor with her grandchildren, playing endless games of basketball in the driveway and spending months planning the perfect Christmas stockings.

Kathy was predeceased by her parents, husband, Ed, and son, Scott. She is lovingly survived by her children, Melissa, Chris (Emily), Terri (Chris) and Tracey; her grandchildren, Conor, Luke, Catherine and Jackson; her brother Edward; her sister-in-law Dorothy Kasper; and her nephew Charles (Michele) Tornetta.

Kathy/Grammy will be greatly missed and her love for her family will be forever felt in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the ASPCA, both charities that were close to her heart.

A visitation for Kathleen will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 East St. George Avenue, Linden. Burial will be private.

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