Ann Riley Candela, a much loved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt, was called home by Our Lord, Jesus Christ on November 30, 2022. Ann was one of nine children and was born on May 27, 1935 in Stratford, Connecticut to Frank and Alice Riley. She graduated from Bassick High School and then followed her family to Texas, where she attended Incarnate Word College. She joined St. Anne’s Catholic Church Singles Club, where she met the love of her life, August Candela. The couple were married on March 2, 1957.
She is preceded in death by her husband, August of 61 years, her parents Frank and Alice Riley, step mother, Elizabeth Riley, siblings, Frank Riley, Jack Riley, Rosemary Smith, Alice Pulatie, and Paul Riley, step siblings, Joe Shackett, Tom and Ginger Shackett, and Sheila Shackett, In-laws, Nick and Mamie Candela, brother and sister-in-laws, Charles and Rosemarie Candela, Roy and Margaret LoCascio, John Fries, son-in-law, Mike Lindgren, and grandson Anthony Candela.
Ann is survived by her children, Elaine Lindgren, Nick Candela (Ay Lan), Chris Candela (Lisa) and Philip Candela (Misty), 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grand children, one great-great-grandchild, brother Jim Riley (Barbara) and sister Joan Fries, brother-in-law Nick Candela (Rosalie), sister-in-laws Bernadette Riley and Sue Riley as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Ann was a hard act to follow. After marrying August, she left her teaching job as a first grade teacher to start a family. She was able to stretch every dollar, finding everything on sale, sewing clothes for herself and her children, reupholstering old furniture to look like new and was the matriarch of our family. After giving birth to her four children, she became very involved as her children entered school and became a PTA President. Later on, she re-entered the work force and became a Manager at Methodist Hospital and an Office Manager for a neurosurgeon. After she retired, she volunteered in ministries at her church, organized and led multiple Senior groups in her neighborhood, and volunteered and lectured at Lone Star College’s Lifelong Learning Program. Ann was very social and outgoing, had many friends, she enjoyed being with people. She was well loved and will be missed by many.
A Rosary and a Funeral Mass will be at Christ The Redeemer Catholic Church, 11507 Huffmeister Rd. Cypress, TX 77433, December 9, 2022. Rosary at 10:20 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Houston Food Bank, Heart of the Nation, or Christ The Redeemer Catholic Church
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