Rhinebeck – Lilian M. O’Riley 94 of Clinton Corners, NY and formerly of Croton-on-Hudson, NY passed away February 20th, 2017 at the Baptist Home in Rhinebeck.
Lilian was born on May 5, 1922 in London, England. She was the daughter of John and Florrie Hill.
Lilian grew up and attended school in London, UK. She often spoke fondly of her outings to the parks with her parents and attending cultural events in London, particularly the opera. During World War II her family often had to seek shelter during air raids and were eventually bombed out of their home. Lilian joined the British Army during the war and served in communications where she sent and received messages to the various companies engaged in fighting the war.
It was during the war that she met her future husband Jack M. O’Riley. They were married in England on March 1st 1945. After the conclusion of World War II she moved to the United States with Jack. They settled in Jack’s hometown of Croton-on Hudson, NY. There she raised her family of 3 sons, John, David and James. Lilian was proud to become a citizen of the U.S. on May 20th 1969. Lilian worked for a short time at Reader’s Digest in Pleasantville, NY and at a small company that her neighbor had started called The Fly Fisherman’s Bookcase in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. There they sold fly fishing books and fishing tackle thru the mail. During this time Lilian and Jack were able to make a couple of trips back to England with her sons to reunite with family, also to Canada where her brother John lived. Lilian loved to read, knit, garden and cook. Right up until she became disabled in 2013 she was still living on her own in Clinton Corners and having family gatherings at her home. One of her favorite regular events was having the entire family gather at her house for St. Patrick’s Day each year.
She is survived by her sons John and his wife Wanna of Canajoharie, NY, and Thailand, David and his wife Karen of Rhinebeck, NY and James and his wife Lenore of Wappingers Falls, NY. Her Grandchildren Christopher O’Riley and his wife Nurine of New Paltz, NY, Patrick O’Riley and his wife Crystal of Wallkill, NY, Sheila O’Riley of Red Hook, NY., Theresa Palmer and her husband Shawn of Clinton Corners NY., Kathleen O’Riley of Pleasant Valley, NY. Also Great Grandchildren Vladimir O’Riley, Nathanial Marino, Miranda Marino, Brooklyn Palmer and Jonah Palmer, nieces Susan of France, Jane, Marion and Barbara of the UK and nephew John of Canada.
Lilian was predeceased by her husband Jack, her brothers John Harry and Ron, and her sister Florence (Poppy), two of her grandsons Timothy and Bryan O’Riley, her daughter in law Susan O’Riley, and her granddaughter Sheila’s husband James Marino.
At Lilian’s request funeral arrangements will be private. She will be interred in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery alongside her husband Jack.
In lieu of flowers a contribution could be made to one of Lilian’s favorite charities, Alzheimer’s, www.alz.org, the American Heart Association , www.heart.org, or the American Lung Association
, www.lung.org.
