Phyllis Rehill Riley

Phyllis Lee Rehill Riley was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1940. She was raised in Allendale alongside her parents, Margie and John, and her three younger brothers, John, Terry, and Brian. In her youth, in addition to her being a good student, she was a lifeguard at Darlington Country Club and a synchronized swimmer.

She earned her first Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Caldwell College for Women, which led to her career in education. After a memorable trip to Europe with two friends, she met Gilbert “Gil” Riley; the two were married in 1965. They welcomed their son, Gilbert, followed by their daughter, Erin.

In 1975, Gil’s career brought the family to Fullerton, California, where they made their home for the remainder of their lives. They were active members of St. Mary’s Church and participated in Marriage Encounter, forming many lifelong friendships.

Phyllis continued her education at California State University, Fullerton, earning a second Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and a Master of Arts in Printmaking. She later completed a second Master of Arts in Education. She went on to a distinguished 30-year career with the Pomona Unified School District, where she found her greatest joy as an itinerant visual arts teacher for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Through weekly art classes, she reached hundreds of students across multiple schools each year. She affectionately referred to her students as her “art angels” and treasured the time she spent with them. She was recognized as an Outstanding Elementary Art Educator by the Los Angeles County Art Education Council.

Art remained central to her life. She created works in painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, and spirit figures, and continued to exhibit in local galleries. After picking up beading, she led a weekly workshop at Sunnycrest, where she lived for the final seven years of her life, surrounded by a warm and supportive community.

Phyllis was an active member of ALPHA, the professional women’s auxiliary of the Assistance League of Fullerton. She especially enjoyed the annual Day of Authors event, the organization’s primary fundraiser, and attended her final event in April of this year.

Following her retirement, she joined the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute where she particularly enjoyed the Life Story class. One of her favorite stories - retold countless times - recounted the family’s mule trip at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, where mishaps transformed into lifelong laughs.

In all of her personal and professional endeavors, she made groups of friends who remained in her life until the end. She was a great organizer of group get togethers with college friends, teachers, artists, beaders, storytellers, etc. She valued people and relationships!

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Gil, and her brother John (Darryl). She is survived by her brothers Terry (Patti) and Brian; her son, Gilbert (Pam); and her daughter, Erin (Stuart). She also deeply cherished her many nieces and nephews on both the Rehill and Riley sides of the family. Phyllis was delighted to finally add two grown granddaughters to the Rehill Riley family in 2018. She waited a long time, but finally had grandchildren.

Known by many affectionate nicknames - Fairy Godmother, Aunt Huggy, Happy Snaps, and Felicitas, “the happiness babe” - Phyllis’s warmth, kindness, and joie de vivre were evident to all who knew her.

She believed that heaven is whatever we imagine it to be. For Phyllis, that meant finally being able to tap dance. Her recent search history was filled with tap dancing tutorials, no doubt in preparation for her next adventure.

A celebration of life will be held in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to https://www.komen.org/ in honor of Phyllis surviving breast cancer.