Loved spending summers on Wolfe Island with family

 

LYNNFIELD — Mary E. (Deming) Riley, 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, November 12, 2021 at Beverly Hospital.

Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, James E. Riley. Her two sons also survive her, James Jr. “Jay” and his wife, Dana, of Lancaster; and Christopher and his wife, Julie, of Sterling. Four adoring grandchildren also survive Mary, James III, Taylor, Bailey and Anjali. She also leaves behind her siblings and their spouses: Gail Brewer and Mark of Canton, Connecticut; Ned Deming and Donna of Tacoma, Washington; Jane Scanlon and Peter of Woodland Park, Colorado; and her sister-in-law Cindy Valentino of Moodus, Connecticut. Nieces, nephews, extended family and many dear friends also survive Mary. She was pre-deceased by her brother, Archibald “Chip” Deming.

Mary was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and was the daughter of the late Dr. Archibald Staley Deming and Ann (Fleming) Deming. She graduated from Conrad High School and attended the University of Vermont. Mary devoted herself as a full-time homemaker and excelled at all things family. She was a lifelong school volunteer and special needs aide, hockey mom, dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.

Among her many pleasures, she loved family summers on Wolfe Island in Ontario, Canada, hot days at the pool and enjoying a good book. Mary was famous for her homemade meatballs, peanut butter cookies, and talented works of sewing, quilting and crochet, which her family affectionately referred to as “Mary’s Magic.” Above all, she was the proud matriarch of her family and will be forever missed and lovingly remembered.

Funeral services with burial in Eastwood Cemetery, Lancaster, will be held privately under the direction of the Philbin-Comeau Funeral Home, 176 Water St., Clinton. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mary Riley to the Friends of Lynnfield Library at foll.org. Online condolences may be placed at www.philbincomeaufh.com.