Mary Kay Riley

Mary Katherine “Mary Kay” Riley, 96, of Springfield, IL died on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at Mill Creek Care Center in Springfield.

Mary Kay was born in Montgomery City, MO on June 23, 1921, the first child of Frank J. and Mary (White) Farnen. Her family moved to Columbia, MO, and later to Kansas City, where she graduated from Southwest High School. She earned a home economics degree in 1943 from the University of Missouri, Columbia and moved to Oklahoma to work in the test kitchens of Oklahoma Natural Gas following graduation. Night journalism classes at the University of Tulsa led her to write for a farming publication in Topeka, KS and later became Foods Editor for Meredith Publishing’s Successful Farming magazine in Des Moines.

Shortly after moving to Des Moines, she went on a blind date with charismatic attorney, Philip T. Riley, son of Iowa Federal District Judge William F. Riley. He was deeply moved by her compassion for others and unassuming nature, and they were married in 1961. Mary Kay and Phil had many wonderful, lasting friendships and were very active in civic, charitable and community organizations, singing groups, and their churches, St. Catherine of Siena at Drake University and Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community. They traveled the world, visiting most of the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Mary Kay enjoyed trying new recipes and was a fabulous cook; she enjoyed gardening and antiquing, and was a member of the Iowa Questers. She devoted years to volunteering for many organizations, including Iowa Peace Network, Catholic Peace Ministry, Hospice of Central Iowa, Living History Farms, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Terrace Hill (Iowa Governor’s Mansion), and the American Cancer Society. Mary Kay was named United Way Volunteer of the Year in 1990.

Following her husband Phil’s death, Mary Kay did not sit still for long. She traveled to Iceland, visited friends across the country, and spent winters with her beloved Scottish Terrier, Angus, in Sun City, AZ. She sold the century-old family home in Des Moines and moved into the Scottish Rite Park retirement community. In late 2015, she moved to Mill Creek Care Center in Springfield, IL, to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.

Mary Kay was known and beloved for her gentle, kind demeanor and giving spirit. She quietly taught lessons of grace and charity and how to treat others by the example she set. Her sweet, unselfish, and thoughtful manner was balanced by a keen wit and dry humor. She will be deeply missed by all who were lucky to know her.

Mary Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Phil; two brothers, William W. Farnen and James F. Farnen; sister, Lucy V. Wade; and a son, Philip T. Riley, Jr., who died in infancy. She is survived by her son, Charles G. (wife, Alice) Riley of Lehighton, PA; daughter, Kathleen Riley Young of Springfield, IL; granddaughter, Clara Marie Young of Ames, IA; two grandsons, Philip Joseph Young of Springfield and Logan Bruce Riley of Lehighton; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Friday, December 15, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA. Family will greet friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary Kay’s name can be sent to Hospice of Central Iowa Care Services, 3000 Easton Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50317; Des Moines Catholic Worker Community, P.O. Box 4551, Des Moines, IA 50305; The Nature Conservancy, 505 5th Ave., Suite 930, Des Moines, IA 50309; or the Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community, 3306 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311.

Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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