Elfrieda "Fritzi" Mueller Riley-Kenny

Elfrieda “Fritzi” Mueller Riley-Kenny, 95, a mother, educator, volunteer, homemaker and resident of Ginger Cove Retirement Community, died on February 21, 2021 at Ginger Cove Continuing Care Retirement Community. A former Wisconsin resident, she has lived in Annapolis, Maryland since 1955.

The daughter of Mathilda and Arthur Mueller, Ms. Riley-Kenny was born in Athens, Wisconsin, and received her early education in North Wisconsin schools. A graduate of Wausau Senior High School, Wausau, Wisconsin during World War II, she later studied at the Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Maryland, where she was graduated Summa Cum Laude, awarded the Associate of Arts Degree, and inducted into the honorary Phi Theta Kappa fraternity. She was also graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, where she received the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. She was inducted into the honorary Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Theta Phi, and Sigma Tau Delta fraternities; she was also awarded the Certificate of Scholarship from the University of Maryland. After earning her graduate degree, she returned to the Anne Arundel Community College as Coordinator of Alumni Affairs and Instructor in the English Department, retiring in 1996.

Ms. Riley-Kenny’s earlier professional life included a career at a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, pharmaceutical house, where she was an Assistant Buyer. Moving to Washington, D.C. in 1951, she was employed at the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General’s Office of the Department of Defense. After her marriage in 1952, she was employed at the Medical Clinic, University of Maryland Medical School in Baltimore, Maryland.

Ms. Riley-Kenny had many years of volunteer service. A Red Cross volunteer, beginning as a Grey Lady in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she assisted military veterans in the U.S. Veterans Hospital. In this capacity, she also assisted in post-World War II area disaster planning. She subsequently worked as a Red Cross Gray Lady and a Nurse’s Aide in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. More recently, she was a Red Cross Blood Bank volunteer in Annapolis, Maryland. Ms. Riley-Kenny’s volunteer service also included in assisting in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Garden gift shop. A member of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis, she taught Sunday school for many years. At the Ginger Cove Retirement Community, she served as member and secretary of the Residents Club Executive Committee and board member and secretary of the Ginger Cove Foundation. She also provided volunteer services in the Ginger Cove Health Center and was a member of several singing groups, including the community chorus and two sing-a-long groups.

A past program chairman, president, and honorary member of the Old Annapolis Towne Garden Club, Ms. Riley-Kenny was an active gardener. An avid reader and writer, she participated in various reading and creative writing groups. She has written family history stories for her siblings and children, recording them in her book, An Abundant Life: My Story, My Song.

Ms. Riley-Kenny was married to the late Dr. Robert Annan Riley, Jr. in 1952; they divorced in 1984. She is survived by her second husband, John Roy Kenny, Jr., who she married in 2010. She is also survived by her four children: Robert Annan Riley, III, Frank Arthur Riley, Carol Marie DeHez Riley Gauer and Richard Mueller Riley; four step-children: John Christopher Kenny, Patrick Edward Kenny, Gayle Marie Kenny and Maureen Ruth Kenny. Surviving also are two siblings: a brother, Roland Martin Mueller, a sister, Carol Mueller Hannah and 9 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and 2 step-great grandchildren. Ms. Riley-Kenny was predeceased by two brothers, Martin Mueller and Robert Oscar Mueller, and one sister, Margaret Mueller Penno.

A Celebration of Her Life Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ginger Cove Foundation, Ginger Cove Retirement Community, 4000 River Crescent Drive, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401 or St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.