Maria Nelia Riley

Maria-Nelia Riley passed away peacefully on May 16th, 2024, at her home in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the age of 85. She joins her parents Eliseo & Florentina Monsanto, husband of 51 years Frankie P. Riley, siblings Romeo (Juliet) and Jose Monsanto, grandson Ty Riley, great granddaughter Tiegan Biber, and all the precious relatives and friends who went before her and have been anxiously awaiting her arrival.

She was born in the small village of Mogpog, Marinduque, Philippines, where she and her mother lived with her grandparents on a large farm, her father having passed when she was very young. Highly active from an early age, she helped mind the store her grandparents owned, and was involved in many sports through her school years. Unbound by social convention, she sought independence in her late teens, moving to Manila, where she attended Beauty School and also trained as a Seamstress thanks to support from her uncles. In addition to acquiring these skills, she ran her own store and café, and ultimately met Frankie during his military service. After a bit of globetrotting with the army, they retired from Fort Carson and settled in Colorado Springs.

She is survived by her daughter Rowena Riley, son Christopher Riley (Estelle), granddaughters Melissa (Josh) Kindhart and Rachelle (David) Biber, grandson Michael Riley, and great grandkids Tristan Biber, Conner and Caitlyn Kindhart.

Her energy was limitless. An early pioneer of working from home, she spent many years sewing vintage square dance dresses for Kate Schorer Company after convincing them she didn’t need to commute to the factory, having built her own home sewing room. This work was done primarily in the evenings, after having spent a full day providing daycare for as many as 12 children at a time, many of whom consider her to be a second mother. All of this never compromised her ability to support all the activities, school commitments, or anything and everything ever needed for Christopher, Melissa, & Rachelle. All of this was managed flawlessly while running the household, cooking amazing Filipino food and dishes from many different cultures to always have a full dinner prepared, and maintaining an immaculate lawn & garden to boot.

She could be described as human Miracle Gro. Through incredible strength, tireless energy, unshakable resolve, deep devotion, and boundless love, anyone, or anything, that she chose to commit herself to couldn’t help but grow and thrive. She set expectations that may have seemed high, but with her support, would often be achieved.

Her family was her greatest joy and proudest achievement. All efforts were just means to support our needs and long-term success. Well into her 80s, she loved nothing more than to prepare huge holiday meals and have everyone gather in her home to celebrate.

Although we must let her go now, her presence lives on through us, and we will strive every day to be worthy of everything she made possible. We will honor her through behaving and acting as the best people we can be.

Please join us in celebrating this amazing person:

•A Viewing/Rosary will be held on Wednesday May 22nd, 2024, from 5-8 pm at Dove-Witt Family Mortuary (6630 S. US Hwy 85/87, Fountain, CO 80817)

•Funeral Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 23rd also at Dove-Witt Family Mortuary.

•She will be interred with her husband at Pikes Peak National Cemetery at 12:00 p.m. (10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80925).

•A reception with full lunch will be held at Restoration Church immediately following the burial, starting between 12:30 and 1:00. (9355 Peaceful Valley Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80925). Please join us in celebrating this amazing person.

There will be memory cards for you to write down your favorite memories of her to share with the family. Please take full advantage of this, as we would love to read everyone’s stories about her!