Eileen O'Brien Rioles

Eileen went home to Jesus on April 24,2024. She was born on January 28,1935 in Chester, PA. There she attended the Franklin School and Chester High School. After high school, she worked at Philadelphia Quartz Company as a Bookkeeper and Payroll Clerk, thoroughly enjoying her roles.

In 1956, serving as a Junior Red Cross volunteer, she and her friends would visit the Army and Navy hospitals. One night at Philadelphia Naval Hospital, they were invited to dance with the sailors. Much to her surprise, she met her future husband, Richard, and a year and half later they were married in Providence, RI. Two years into their marriage, they discovered that they would be unable to have children. About the same time, she received a copy of a prayer to Blessed Mother, called the Memorae, which she started to pray daily.

In 1963, they started the adoption process thru Catholic Charities in Philadelphia, and their prayers were answered the first time in 1964 when they got the call to adopt their son Kevin. Three years later, they moved to Tampa FL, and near the end of 1970, they received the second phone call that their daughter Nancy would be coming home.

Eileen was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church for 57 years, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, RICA sponsor and a Bible Study leader. She was also a member of Circle 12. Eileen was a member of the Charismatic Renewal and the Council of Catholic Women. In 2012, a book of her poetry was published, and she donated all the proceeds to Christ the King Catholic School.

Prayer brought Eileen great solace. She prayed daily for 53 people and readily offered prayers to anyone who asked, even strangers she encountered. Eileen’s compassionate spirit touched many lives.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Mary O’Brien; brother, Thomas O’Brien; sisters, Elizabeth McLaughlin and Maureen DiCave and niece, Elizabeth Butler.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years Richard; son, Kevin Rioles (Youngmi); daughter, Nancy Evans (Joe Smalley); three grandchildren, Richard and Christine Rioles and Maggie Meguiar; sister, Kathleen Baronsky and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Thursday May 2nd, in Blount & Curry MacDill Life Event Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday May 3rd in Christ the King Catholic Church, followed by graveside services in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Clearwater.