Susan M. Riley

Born in Chicago, Illinois, to Harry F. Riley and Catherine O’Donnell Riley, Susan attended The Immaculata High School; she received her BA from Loyola University and was a member of the Sisters of Charity BVM, a religious congregation of women, from 1959 through 1969. During that time she taught at Our Lady of Peace High School in St. Paul, Minnesota and immersed herself in community activism.

Susan moved to Washington, DC in 1968 where she received her Master’s degree and completed course work for her Ph.D. in Russian studies at Georgetown University. While attending Georgetown, Susan’s love of politics, learned at her father’s knee, led her to volunteer in the office of Senator Edward M. Kennedy - where her intellect, integrity and organizational skills soon earned her a full time paid position.

In 1973 Susan moved to Boston where she worked as a special assistant to Adam Yarmolinski who was then serving as an advisor to University of Massachusetts president, Robert Wood. She married Martin Katz in Boston in 1975.

Upon returning to Washington in 1975, Susan rejoined Edward Kennedy’s Senate staff. In 1977 she accepted an appointment as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Housing at HUD where she further honed her housing expertise. When Senator Kennedy ran for president, Susan once again returned to work on his campaign.

In the ensuing years, Susan’s vast knowledge of federal assistance programs and her expertise in housing and community development, especially in joint public-private partnerships, financial services and economic development, were put to good use as she worked for the National Multi Housing Council; participated in the Tax Coalition; and associated with such prestigious firms as O’Connor and Hannon; Smith, Dawson & Andrews; Foley &Lardner and Anne Canfield Associates before forming her own firm - Riley Strategic Consultants. She advised the US Council of Mayors on housing issues for thirty years and served on the Board of the US Mayors Enterprise for ten years. As an advocate, Susan was respected by members of Congress on both sides of the aisle for her knowledge, integrity and honesty.

While working full time as a single parent raising her daughters, Susan always made time for her other passion – politics. She never failed to work for Democratic presidential candidates, traveling the country and putting her organizational skills to use where there was the greatest need. For the past two decades she was also the woman behind the scenes at every Democratic National Convention, where she served as the senior manager in charge of the podium speakers.

Susan always gave back – she was never too busy to help. She mentored, advised, helped find jobs and even opened her home to those in need.

Susan returned to serve Senator Edward M. Kennedy one last time as an usher at his funeral in Boston in 2009.

Susan took great pride in her work but there was never any doubt that her family and friends were what mattered most in her life and brought her the greatest joy. She shared her love of travel with her daughters and was always up for a spur of the moment trip and a new adventure.

Susan is survived by: her daughters Anne Riley-Katz of Los Angeles and Julia Riley-Katz of Washington, DC; her brother Harry and his wife Catherine, of Chicago, their son Sean, his wife Olivia, their son, Connor and daughter Caitlin of Chicago, and their daughter Nancy of Washington, DC; her twin sister, Nancy Riley Kelly and her husband Paul, of Chicago, their son William, his wife Maureen, and son, Liam, of Chicago, their daughter Susan Thwaites, her husband John, son Luke and daughter Grace, of Australia.

A memorial service to celebrate Susan’s life will be held at Holy Trinity Church, on 36th Street, NW between N and O streets in Washington, DC on July 21 at 11:00 AM and will be followed by a reception at Blake Hall, St. John's Episcopal Church, 3240 O Street, NW.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Susan’s name may be made to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for The US Senate (emkinstitute.org), 400 Atlantic Avenue 3rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.