Mary Swain Riley

Mary was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on February 24, 1927, to Kenneth Brinkman and Beatrice Brinkley Swain, who preceded her in death. She completed the circle of life after being born at Rex Hospital by passing away at Rex.

Her father’s work carried Mary and her family to live in many North Carolina towns that she loved: Raleigh, Asheville, Sanford, and Wilmington, where she graduated from New Hanover High School and met her husband of 61 years, Jack Dain Riley, to whom she was deeply devoted. Jack preceded her in death in June of 2007, and she is finally reunited with him.

After Jack served in WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corps, they moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic. After graduation they settled in Tarboro, where they raised their children.

Mary stayed home with her children, volunteering as a Cub Scout den leader, then as a Brownie Scout leader, where her creativity helped to form fond memories not only for her children, but also for the boys and girls in her groups. She always was the first to volunteer to be room parent and to make crafts and to cook for classroom and church activities. She provided tremendous emotional support for her children and encouraged every dream they dared to dream.

Mary was a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Tarboro. She began working with the Town of Tarboro when her children were grown, and retired in 1989 to enjoy her grandchildren. She formed strong bonds with her grandchildren and helped to make idyllic memories during their formative years. Her children and grandchildren knew she loved them fiercely.

Mary and Jack moved to Raleigh in 2006, where she volunteered for the Flower Shuttle and formed many close friendships. She enjoyed her Chat ‘n Chew group, which met every month, and she spoke fondly of her dialysis patient and staff family at Fresenius Kidney Care on Bush Street in Raleigh. She inspired many patients with her determination to get out every day, to dress to the nines, and to accept the difficulties that can only come with living a long and full life.

Mary enjoyed her family immensely, and shared many adventures, including traveling and RVing. Mary and Jack introduced their children and grandchildren to Disney World, and always tried to keep the happy spirit found there alive in their family life. She was a wonderful, devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and will be sorely missed.

Mary also was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth Brinkman Swain, Jr., and is survived by son, Dain Alan Riley and wife, Deborah, of Raleigh; daughter, Jacqueline Riley Clare and husband, Thomas, of Raleigh; grandchildren, Chad Dain Riley, Christina Riley Winoski and husband Trey Winoski, Patrick Riley Clare and fiancé Hannah Margaret Lindquist, and Dain Martin Clare; and granddogs Vegas, Tyson, Lucky, Izzy, and Lucy, all of whom brightened Mary’s life. She is also survived by her cousin, Doris Clark Walker, and husband, Owen Walker.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary’s Street in Raleigh, and a funeral service will follow in the chapel at 2:00 p.m., with the Rev. Dr. Wesley F. Brown, Associate Dean at Duke Divinity School, officiating. Burial will follow the service at Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh.

Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be sent to Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, National Processing Center, P.O. Box 1245, Albert Lea, MN 56007. www.ccfa.org.

Condolences may be sent to www.brownwynne.com. Arrangements by Brown-Wynne St. Mary’s Street.