Mary M. Ruehter Riley

Mary M. Riley, Universal City, TX, 78, died peacefully on December 23, 2010. Mary was born in Higginsville, MO and in 1963 married Sgt. Francis J. Riley in Dover, MO. She was tireless in caring for her family and being active in the Air Force Community. At the age of 50 she completed Vocational Nursing School followed by a career as a LVN in the Pediatric Unit of Bexar County Hospital.

During her lifetime she enjoyed and excelled at home gardening, being recognized many times as a Neighborhood Beautification Award winner. Mary was an avid collector of everything “cardinal”, as well as dolls of all descriptions, proudly displaying them throughout her home.

She is preceded in death by her parents, George H. and Julia Mae (Stedem) Ruehter, two brothers, Frank Ruehter, Higginsville, MO, and George Ruehter, Stanberry, MO, and two sisters, Katherine Jindra of Elyria, OH, and Virginia Sorenson of Lee’s Summit, MO. Survivors include her husband Frank Riley, one son and one daughter, George E. Riley and wife Letitia, and Deborah A. Pruitt and husband Paul. She is also survived by John Ruehter (Elizabeth) of Harrisonville, MO, Edward Ruehter (Phyllis) of Sunrise Beach, MO, James Ruehter (Bonnie) of Lexington, MO, Dorothy Barnett (and friend, Lewis Wilson) of Clinton, MO, and Ann (Mike) Orear of Grand Pass, MO.

All of Mary’s friends are invited to celebrate her life by attending a Memorial Mass at St. Monica’s Church, 501 North Street, Converse, TX, on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 1:00 P.M. A private inurnment ceremony will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Odyssey Vista Care Foundation, (www.ovhf.org), 717 N. Harwood, Suite 1500 Dallas, TX 78201, in memory of Mary Margaret Riley.