Jennifer Talley Riordan

Jennifer was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey to Esther and Kenneth Talley on April 30, 1942. She attended Junior 3 and Trenton High, and later received a Bachelor’s degree from Albright College. Over the years, she earned two Master’s degrees, the first in Special Education, which she used when teaching the deaf and hard of hearing before she married. After her children were sufficiently grown up, she obtained a Master’s in Counseling from George Mason University and went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Although they grew up just a few miles away from each other, she didn’t meet her future husband, Richard Riordan, until he was stationed thousands of miles away in Vietnam. During their romance, she traveled around the world (because she loved to travel) and stopped to visit him where he was then stationed, in Thailand. Jennifer and Rich married on August 9, 1969 in West Trenton, New Jersey.

During her twenty-seven years as an Army wife and the subsequent years before she retired, she held a number of positions in addition to being a teacher and counselor. She wrote a music book for the deaf and hard of hearing and later self-published it, and she taught piano for several years. Actively involved in Girl Scouts during her childhood and as a mother, she served as Service Unit Chairperson as well as being a troop leader. Before becoming a counselor, she was a Stephen Minister in the United Methodist church. She also became an active investor in later years. She had a wide variety of interests, including traveling, bird watching, sewing, crafting, and growing herbs. She always loved to keep up with her many friends and extended family.

All that said, her husband and daughters were the focal point of her life. During the time when her daughters were young, she was a stay at home mom and active in their education and upbringing.

A major theme in Jennifer’s life was helping others. She was active in the Army Officers’ Wives Club and did a great deal of charity work through that organization, especially during the time the family was stationed in New York. She would often get a Girl Scout troop involved in helping others. After her daughters grew and husband retired, she helped others by getting involved in charities through Sydenstricker United Methodist Church. She also counseled veterans through Give an Hour after she had officially retired herself.

Jennifer is preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers (Doug and Don), and two sisters-in-law (Beverly and Barbara).

Jennifer is survived by her husband Richard, daughters Daphne and Kerensa, her brother-in-law Rob, sisters-in-law Judy and Ildiko, and a number friends and extended family members.

The funeral services will take place on August 6 at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Rd, Springfield, VA 22153. There will be a viewing starting at 1pm in the sanctuary, followed at 2pm by the funeral service, with Reverend Don Jamison officiating. We will move across the street to the cemetery for the burial and then meet at Hottle Hall, in the same building as the sanctuary, for a reception.

The service inside the sanctuary will be streamed online for those who cannot attend. Please use this link at 2pm on Aug 5: https://boxcast.tv/view/memorial-service-for-jennifer-riordan-gxq07zrgqo0swjuu4xab

If you wish to send flowers, please direct them to the church and plan to have them delivered by 10am on August 6. If you would like to donate to a charity in her name in lieu of flowers, please choose your favorite charity.