Mary Riley

Mary W. Riley (nee McVay) passed peacefully on July 18 at the age of 103 in Newton, NJ. Mary, known to family and friends as Molly, was the loving wife of John and mother to Audrey Treanor and Lynn Esposito, all of whom predeceased her.

Mary was born in Gateshead, England, in 1911, the second child of James and Gertrude McVay. The family would eventually grow to nine children, plus Mary’s six older half-siblings. Later her family moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the setting for many fascinating stories of Mary’s childhood living at The Durdans.

After working as an office assistant to her father, she immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts in 1928. Later, Mary moved to New Jersey and married John T. Riley, a native of Nova Scotia, Canada. They raised their two children in Upper Montclair. For many years, Mary worked for the Wiss Company jewelry store.

Upon retiring, Mary and John lived in Ringwood and Kinnelon, NJ where they enjoyed gardening and car rides to visit friends and extended family. Visitors to their home always looked forward to Mary’s wonderful cooking, especially her apple pies. In recent years, Mary was lovingly cared for by the devoted staff at Valley View Care Center in Newton.

Mary is survived by her adoring six grandchildren (and spouses): Dave Treanor (Judee) of Basking Ridge, Mike Esposito (Lynn) of Fleming Island, FL, Kathy Hlywa (Mike) of Newton, Jackie Goonan of Concord, NH, Paula Bartsch (Bob) of Watchung, and Carol Hinkes (Bob) of Sparta. In addition to her grandchildren, Mary is survived by ten great-grandchildren and her nieces, nephews, and sons-in-law.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 294 Newton Sparta Rd., Sparta, NJ on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 11 AM. The Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta is in charge of arrangements.

www.goblefuneral.com