Kathleen Mills Riley

Kathleen (Mills) Riley, age 56, of Fairhaven, died on Sunday, May 30, 2010 at her home after a valiant and inspirational battle with breast cancer. She was the wife of Dr. James B. Riley, to whom she had been married for the past 29 years.

Born in Acushnet, daughter of the late George and Doris (Desroches) Mills, she was a longtime Fairhaven resident, and a member of the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven.

She was a graduate of Holy Family High School, received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from UMASS Dartmouth in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Assumption College.

Kathleen was employed by the New Bedford School Department both as a crisis counselor and a social worker/ adjustment counselor since 1991. She worked at the Department of Social Services for thirteen years as a social worker supervisor, hotline worker and protective social worker. Prior to that, she worked for years as a training coordinator for the C.E.T.A. program.

Her most joyous labor of love in the world was raising her children, along with her husband and best friend, James. She also enjoyed traveling, cooking, bicycling, gardening, spending time with her close friends and enjoying the outdoors.

Surviving in addition to her husband are five daughters, Marion Riley Taylor and her husband Ronald of Niceville, FL., Meghan Riley Parham and her husband Timothy of Atlanta, GA. Karen Riley-Grant and her husband Andrew of Half Moon Bay, CA., Emily Riley of Fairhaven, Halley Riley of New York City. Survivors also include five beloved grandchildren Madison, Campbell, Gibson, Riley and Phoebe, one sister Susan Bochman and her husband Albert of Lakeville, MA.

Her funeral will take place on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 10AM from the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT FAIRLAWN 180 Washington St., followed by a funeral service at 11AM in the Unitarian Memorial Church 102 Green St., Fairhaven. Relatives and friends invited. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven after the service. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, 5-8PM at the funeral home.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions can be made to the Susan G. Koman For The Cure Fund, Attention: Donor Services, PO Box 650309 Dallas, TX 75265