Mary "Betty" Riley

Betty was born and raised in Brookline. After high school she attended Wheelock College where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1951. As children playing on the Larz Anderson estate in Brookline, Betty met and fell in love with Robert F. Riley, Sr. Bob was, as she said, “her first and only sweetheart.” Their marriage was a true partnership and their lives a lesson in love.

Betty dedicated her life to children as a lifelong teacher, starting her career at Peter Pan Kindergarten in Hanover and 35 years in the Braintree school system. She retired in 1993 and volunteered at Ross School in Braintree. She was a member of the National Education Association and the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Beloved wife and best friend of the late Robert F. Riley, Sr. Mother of Robert F. Riley, Jr. and his wife Kimberley of Wakefield, RI and Mary E. “Beth” Barreira and her husband Brian of Hanover. Grandmother of Christopher P. Riley and his wife Jocelyn of West Kingston, RI and Jason R. Barreira of Hanover. Great grandmother of Nolen and Gwen Riley. She was the sister of the late Anne L. (Anderson) Cahill and A. Paul Anderson.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, November 20th from 8:30AM-9:30AM at Sullivan Funeral Homes, 551 Washington Street, Route 53, Hanover. A funeral mass will take place immediately following at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s of the Sacred Heart Church, 392 Hanover Street, Route 139, Hanover. Burial will take place privately on a different date.

The family requests that those attending who are unvaccinated to please wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Cardinal Cushing Centers at 405 Washington St. Hanover, MA 02339.