Obituary of Joan Riley

Joan E. Riley, a resident of Burlington for 77 years, passed away on January 2, 2012 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 80 years old. Joan was born in Somerville, the daughter of the late Gerald and Helen McGowan. At the age of 3, her family settled in Burlington, which was then a small farming community. She grew up and was educated in Burlington and was a graduate of Burlington High School Class of 1948. She worked for several years as a clerk at American Mutual Insurance Company before marrying her longtime sweetheart, Harry Riley on June 10, 1956. Joan and Harry, both only children, wanted a large family. They would have 6 children, 14 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. Joan cherished her role of wife, mother, and homemaker. Her home was filled with love, laughter, and memories. She enjoyed baking in her kitchen, summer camping vacations, her home, and seeing her children and grandchildren enjoying life together. Joan had her own interests as well, which included knitting and crocheting, ceramics, soap operas, and shopping. In her final years as her Alzheimer’s progressed, her family returned her love as they affectionately cared for her in her home. Joan was the beloved wife of 55 years of Harry C. Riley. She was the loving mother of Judith Gauthier & her husband Conrad of Hudson, NH; Pamela Ayotte & her husband Don of Lowell; Maureen Riley of Lowell; Priscilla Tobin & her husband Kevin of Wilmington; William Riley & his wife Suzanne of Stoneham; and Timothy Riley & his wife Michelle of Tyngsboro. She was the proud grandmother of Jesse & Nancy Gauthier; Brittany & Trevor Ayotte; Michelle Forget, Kevin, Daniel & Corey Tobin; Diana & Sean Riley; Catherine, Lindsay, & Colin Riley; and the late Heather Kathleen Tobin. She was the great-grandmother of Ryan Forget. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Joan’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472 or www.alz.org.