Obituary: Joan Riley, 89; Community Volunteer

Joan Dillon Reed Riley died peacefully in her home in Rye Brook, NY on Saturday, Aug. 3, surrounded by her husband and family members, following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Joan was born in New York City in September 1923. The daughter of John Henry and Geraldine (FitzGerald) Dillon, she was raised in Woodlawn and Scarsdale.

Joan graduated from Good Counsel College of White Plains in 1944 and embarked on a life defined by boundless enthusiasm, a radiant personality, a positive outlook, and a heartfelt welcome for everyone she met – not to mention an abundance of style and flair. Joan and her late first husband, Ray Reed, lovingly raised their family in cities across the country from New York to San Francisco to Boston and back to New York when Ray became president of F.A.O. Schwarz, the toy company, before passing away prematurely in 1986.

Joan kept active working at Lord & Taylor and through activities at Church. She later met a warm and wonderful man named John J. (Jack) Riley at The Widows and Widowers Club of St. Michael's Church in Greenwich, CT, where they were married in June 1999. Joan and Jack enjoyed their new life together spending time with family and friends, and traveling from Europe to Hawaii and across the USA. They embraced their unexpected second marriage, filled it with love, care, humor and enormous goodwill, and were an inspiration for all who knew them.

Joan is survived by her loving husband, John J. Riley, her daughters Carol Naill and her husband Roger of Arlington, VA, Barbara Mason and her husband Paul of Stonyhurst, England; her son Stephen Reed of Naples, FL; her stepdaughters Judy Coelho of Harrison, NY and Susan Westrell of Southbury, CT; stepson John Riley Jr. and his wife Janet of Brewster, NY; her four grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren. Joan also leaves behind her three brothers: Jerry Dillon and wife Anne of Longmeadow, MA, Jack Dillon and wife Teresa of Mission Viejo, CA, and Dick Dillon and wife Eileen of Island Heights, NJ. 

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6  at the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home at 31 Arch St., in Greenwich. A funeral service will take place at noon Wednesday, Aug. 7, at St. Paul's Church at 84 Sherwood Ave. Greenwich, CT. 

As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester, 311 North St., Suite 204, White Plains, NY 10605, or via their website, hospiceofwestchester.com.