Mary L. Loesch Riley

Mary was born to Wilbert and Darlene Loesch in Santa Ana, California. Before her first birthday, the family moved to San Jose. In 1960 the family moved again to Bijou, South Lake Tahoe. Mary was a graduate of STHS class of 1967.

After graduation, she married Stan Tweedy. During this marriage her daughter, Sarah, was born. Later she met and married Timothy Riley. They were together until his death in 1999.

Mary learned baking and decorating in the family business, Loesch’s Bijou Center Bakery. After the bakery was sold, most of her career was at the Carson City Smith’s. She could turn icing into just about anything on a cake. Her expertise and artistic abilities earned her quite a following. There were several times she made a kid’s birthday cakes for years and then their wedding cake.

Mary loved animals. Besides her own dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, she cared for numerous feral cats that entered the yard. She also made sure the wild birds had plenty to eat all winter. Mary was a little bit goth at heart, she adored Johnny Depp, her favorite color was sage green, and she loved iris.

Mary lived in the Carson Valley over 50 years but her heart longed for the ocean. Her home reflected this love. She vacationed in Tahiti and always wanted to return.

She is predeceased by her parents, her brother Steven, and sadly, her daughter Sarah. She is survived by her sister Cheryl, her nephew Timothy, her niece Rebecca, and by the light of her life, granddaughter Bentlee.

Mary was quick witted and could easily make you laugh. She was a loyal friend and was generous and loving to friends and family. We all will deeply miss her energy and all those little things she did for us. So when you see Iris in bloom, think of Mary, her life, and what she meant to you.