Edna Ruth Ellyson Riley

Edna Ruth Ellyson Riley passed away peacefully at her home, on Saturday, January 31st, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. During her long and distinguished career as a high school science teacher, she touched many lives with her kindness, and her gentle and caring spirit.

Edna was born in Linn, Gilmer County, West Virginia, and graduated from Troy High School. She attended Glenville State Teacher’s college and obtained Masters’ degrees in education and science at the University of West Virginia, and Case Western University. She began teaching in Webster County, West Virginia, where she met her late husband James Starcher Riley. They ultimately settled in Vienna, Virginia. She taught chemistry, math, and physics, at Washington and Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia for 35 years, from 1951 to 1986.

After she retired from teaching, Edna spent much of her time doing charity work, and she and James were very active in the Kena Temple Shriners and the Order of Eastern Star. After James passed away in 2003, Edna moved to the Rossmoor retirement community of Walnut Creek, California, to be closer to her family. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Kara Leigh Riley-Paull, her son-in-law, Dr. Jeffrey Mark Paull, and her grandsons Justin Matthew Paull and Joshua Michael Paull, all of Walnut Creek; and her daughter, Ms. Tara Lynn Riley, of Sterling, Virginia.

A graveside service will be held at National Memorial Park, 7842 Lee Highway, Falls Church, Virginia. A private memorial service is also being planned for her in Walnut Creek. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.