MATILDA RILEY, 97, ACTIVE IN CHURCH AFFAIRS
Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY) - Thursday, November 2, 1989
Matilda Schmidt Riley's family and friends credit her deep faith and her interest in and service to others with keeping her alert and active almost to the end. Mrs. Riley died Tuesday at James Square Nursing Home at age 97. She lived at 141 Woodbine Ave.
Known as "Tillie," she was a life resident of Syracuse. Mrs. Riley was born on John Street, one of 13 children of parents who had emigrated from Germany. She was baptized at Assumption Church on the day she was born, attended Assumption School and married Frank J. Riley there Oct. 21, 1912. She wore a traditional long wedding dress of ivory satin with a lace bodice and sleeves of dotted Swiss banded in lace. It had a chapel-length train. Underneath was a long handmade slip of fine cotton and lace. The attendants were Bert Snyder and Irene Hoffman. Mr. Riley was an officer with the Syracuse Police Department. Work with the city was a tradition for many family members.
As a youngster, Mrs. Riley was a gymnast at Turn Hall, a German-American club on North Salina Street, noted for gymnastics. Her brother, Jake, who was a firefighter with the Syracuse Fire Department, was reputed to be one of the strongest men at Turn Hall. Her family owned a grocery store at the corner of Kirkpatrick and Carbon streets that later became the site of the well-known Bersani's Restaurant.
Mrs. Riley worked 20 years in the finance department of the city under mayors Rolland B. Marvin through William F. Walsh. She was active in Republican politics for years, working on many campaigns, including many of Sen. Tarky Lombardi's. She was one of the oldest committeewomen in the city, representing the Fifth Ward.
Mrs. Riley attended the noon mass daily at Blessed Sacrament Church. In her 80s, she served as an officer of its Altar and Rosary Society and was active with the Legion of Mary -- a group that visits the sick and prepares bandages for cancer patients. She was also active well into her 80s with the Huntington School Mothers Club, a group that collected and sorted clothing for needy families and also prepared bandages.
Mrs. Riley was an avid card player. She played at least twice a week, bridge or pinochle, in senior citizen groups. "She was fantastic. She could keep perfect score right up until her illness," Norma Satterlee, a friend for more than 40 years, said today.
Mrs. Riley suffered a stroke April 24. It was the first time that she had been a hospital patient except for the births of her children. "This lady was indestructible," John Peiffer, her son-in-law, said.
Since the death of her husband in 1954, Mrs. Riley had made her home with her daughter, Imogene, and her son-in-law. She had a separate apartment in the house and was a ready and eager baby-sitter and participant in her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's activities. If there was a Halloween parade at the elementary school, she was there. If there was a soccer game or a Little League game, she was cheering from the sidelines. She had time to listen to a grandson's explanation of his baseball card collection. "She was always interested. She never gave up," Peiffer said.
Her wedding dress had a reprise 10 years ago when Mrs. Riley wore it in a fashion show of vintage clothing at her church. On Oct. 11, 1986, she was the Senior Queen in the annual Christopher Columbus Parade presented by the Greater Eastwood Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Riley was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, the Lucian Guild and St. Ann's Circle. She was also a member of the Eastwood Senior Citizens, Golden Agers and the Onondaga County Women's Republican Club.
Surviving are two daughters, Sister Matilda Anne, C.S.J., of St. Ann's Convent, Syracuse, and Imogene Peiffer of Syracuse; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Her son, Francis S., died in 1974.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Goddard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral Home and 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, 3111 James St.
Contributions may be made to the Retirement Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph, in care of the St. Joseph Motherhouse, Latham.
Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY) - Thursday, November 2, 1989
Matilda Schmidt Riley's family and friends credit her deep faith and her interest in and service to others with keeping her alert and active almost to the end. Mrs. Riley died Tuesday at James Square Nursing Home at age 97. She lived at 141 Woodbine Ave.
Known as "Tillie," she was a life resident of Syracuse. Mrs. Riley was born on John Street, one of 13 children of parents who had emigrated from Germany. She was baptized at Assumption Church on the day she was born, attended Assumption School and married Frank J. Riley there Oct. 21, 1912. She wore a traditional long wedding dress of ivory satin with a lace bodice and sleeves of dotted Swiss banded in lace. It had a chapel-length train. Underneath was a long handmade slip of fine cotton and lace. The attendants were Bert Snyder and Irene Hoffman. Mr. Riley was an officer with the Syracuse Police Department. Work with the city was a tradition for many family members.
As a youngster, Mrs. Riley was a gymnast at Turn Hall, a German-American club on North Salina Street, noted for gymnastics. Her brother, Jake, who was a firefighter with the Syracuse Fire Department, was reputed to be one of the strongest men at Turn Hall. Her family owned a grocery store at the corner of Kirkpatrick and Carbon streets that later became the site of the well-known Bersani's Restaurant.
Mrs. Riley worked 20 years in the finance department of the city under mayors Rolland B. Marvin through William F. Walsh. She was active in Republican politics for years, working on many campaigns, including many of Sen. Tarky Lombardi's. She was one of the oldest committeewomen in the city, representing the Fifth Ward.
Mrs. Riley attended the noon mass daily at Blessed Sacrament Church. In her 80s, she served as an officer of its Altar and Rosary Society and was active with the Legion of Mary -- a group that visits the sick and prepares bandages for cancer patients. She was also active well into her 80s with the Huntington School Mothers Club, a group that collected and sorted clothing for needy families and also prepared bandages.
Mrs. Riley was an avid card player. She played at least twice a week, bridge or pinochle, in senior citizen groups. "She was fantastic. She could keep perfect score right up until her illness," Norma Satterlee, a friend for more than 40 years, said today.
Mrs. Riley suffered a stroke April 24. It was the first time that she had been a hospital patient except for the births of her children. "This lady was indestructible," John Peiffer, her son-in-law, said.
Since the death of her husband in 1954, Mrs. Riley had made her home with her daughter, Imogene, and her son-in-law. She had a separate apartment in the house and was a ready and eager baby-sitter and participant in her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's activities. If there was a Halloween parade at the elementary school, she was there. If there was a soccer game or a Little League game, she was cheering from the sidelines. She had time to listen to a grandson's explanation of his baseball card collection. "She was always interested. She never gave up," Peiffer said.
Her wedding dress had a reprise 10 years ago when Mrs. Riley wore it in a fashion show of vintage clothing at her church. On Oct. 11, 1986, she was the Senior Queen in the annual Christopher Columbus Parade presented by the Greater Eastwood Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Riley was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, the Lucian Guild and St. Ann's Circle. She was also a member of the Eastwood Senior Citizens, Golden Agers and the Onondaga County Women's Republican Club.
Surviving are two daughters, Sister Matilda Anne, C.S.J., of St. Ann's Convent, Syracuse, and Imogene Peiffer of Syracuse; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Her son, Francis S., died in 1974.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Goddard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral Home and 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, 3111 James St.
Contributions may be made to the Retirement Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph, in care of the St. Joseph Motherhouse, Latham.
MATILDA RILEY, 97, ACTIVE IN CHURCH AFFAIRS
Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY) - Thursday, November 2, 1989
Matilda Schmidt Riley's family and friends credit her deep faith and her interest in and service to others with keeping her alert and active almost to the end. Mrs. Riley died Tuesday at James Square Nursing Home at age 97. She lived at 141 Woodbine Ave.
Known as "Tillie," she was a life resident of Syracuse. Mrs. Riley was born on John Street, one of 13 children of parents who had emigrated from Germany. She was baptized at Assumption Church on the day she was born, attended Assumption School and married Frank J. Riley there Oct. 21, 1912. She wore a traditional long wedding dress of ivory satin with a lace bodice and sleeves of dotted Swiss banded in lace. It had a chapel-length train. Underneath was a long handmade slip of fine cotton and lace. The attendants were Bert Snyder and Irene Hoffman. Mr. Riley was an officer with the Syracuse Police Department. Work with the city was a tradition for many family members.
As a youngster, Mrs. Riley was a gymnast at Turn Hall, a German-American club on North Salina Street, noted for gymnastics. Her brother, Jake, who was a firefighter with the Syracuse Fire Department, was reputed to be one of the strongest men at Turn Hall. Her family owned a grocery store at the corner of Kirkpatrick and Carbon streets that later became the site of the well-known Bersani's Restaurant.
Mrs. Riley worked 20 years in the finance department of the city under mayors Rolland B. Marvin through William F. Walsh. She was active in Republican politics for years, working on many campaigns, including many of Sen. Tarky Lombardi's. She was one of the oldest committeewomen in the city, representing the Fifth Ward.
Mrs. Riley attended the noon mass daily at Blessed Sacrament Church. In her 80s, she served as an officer of its Altar and Rosary Society and was active with the Legion of Mary -- a group that visits the sick and prepares bandages for cancer patients. She was also active well into her 80s with the Huntington School Mothers Club, a group that collected and sorted clothing for needy families and also prepared bandages.
Mrs. Riley was an avid card player. She played at least twice a week, bridge or pinochle, in senior citizen groups. "She was fantastic. She could keep perfect score right up until her illness," Norma Satterlee, a friend for more than 40 years, said today.
Mrs. Riley suffered a stroke April 24. It was the first time that she had been a hospital patient except for the births of her children. "This lady was indestructible," John Peiffer, her son-in-law, said.
Since the death of her husband in 1954, Mrs. Riley had made her home with her daughter, Imogene, and her son-in-law. She had a separate apartment in the house and was a ready and eager baby-sitter and participant in her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's activities. If there was a Halloween parade at the elementary school, she was there. If there was a soccer game or a Little League game, she was cheering from the sidelines. She had time to listen to a grandson's explanation of his baseball card collection. "She was always interested. She never gave up," Peiffer said.
Her wedding dress had a reprise 10 years ago when Mrs. Riley wore it in a fashion show of vintage clothing at her church. On Oct. 11, 1986, she was the Senior Queen in the annual Christopher Columbus Parade presented by the Greater Eastwood Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Riley was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, the Lucian Guild and St. Ann's Circle. She was also a member of the Eastwood Senior Citizens, Golden Agers and the Onondaga County Women's Republican Club.
Surviving are two daughters, Sister Matilda Anne, C.S.J., of St. Ann's Convent, Syracuse, and Imogene Peiffer of Syracuse; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Her son, Francis S., died in 1974.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Goddard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral Home and 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, 3111 James St.
Contributions may be made to the Retirement Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph, in care of the St. Joseph Motherhouse, Latham.
Syracuse Herald-Journal (NY) - Thursday, November 2, 1989
Matilda Schmidt Riley's family and friends credit her deep faith and her interest in and service to others with keeping her alert and active almost to the end. Mrs. Riley died Tuesday at James Square Nursing Home at age 97. She lived at 141 Woodbine Ave.
Known as "Tillie," she was a life resident of Syracuse. Mrs. Riley was born on John Street, one of 13 children of parents who had emigrated from Germany. She was baptized at Assumption Church on the day she was born, attended Assumption School and married Frank J. Riley there Oct. 21, 1912. She wore a traditional long wedding dress of ivory satin with a lace bodice and sleeves of dotted Swiss banded in lace. It had a chapel-length train. Underneath was a long handmade slip of fine cotton and lace. The attendants were Bert Snyder and Irene Hoffman. Mr. Riley was an officer with the Syracuse Police Department. Work with the city was a tradition for many family members.
As a youngster, Mrs. Riley was a gymnast at Turn Hall, a German-American club on North Salina Street, noted for gymnastics. Her brother, Jake, who was a firefighter with the Syracuse Fire Department, was reputed to be one of the strongest men at Turn Hall. Her family owned a grocery store at the corner of Kirkpatrick and Carbon streets that later became the site of the well-known Bersani's Restaurant.
Mrs. Riley worked 20 years in the finance department of the city under mayors Rolland B. Marvin through William F. Walsh. She was active in Republican politics for years, working on many campaigns, including many of Sen. Tarky Lombardi's. She was one of the oldest committeewomen in the city, representing the Fifth Ward.
Mrs. Riley attended the noon mass daily at Blessed Sacrament Church. In her 80s, she served as an officer of its Altar and Rosary Society and was active with the Legion of Mary -- a group that visits the sick and prepares bandages for cancer patients. She was also active well into her 80s with the Huntington School Mothers Club, a group that collected and sorted clothing for needy families and also prepared bandages.
Mrs. Riley was an avid card player. She played at least twice a week, bridge or pinochle, in senior citizen groups. "She was fantastic. She could keep perfect score right up until her illness," Norma Satterlee, a friend for more than 40 years, said today.
Mrs. Riley suffered a stroke April 24. It was the first time that she had been a hospital patient except for the births of her children. "This lady was indestructible," John Peiffer, her son-in-law, said.
Since the death of her husband in 1954, Mrs. Riley had made her home with her daughter, Imogene, and her son-in-law. She had a separate apartment in the house and was a ready and eager baby-sitter and participant in her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's activities. If there was a Halloween parade at the elementary school, she was there. If there was a soccer game or a Little League game, she was cheering from the sidelines. She had time to listen to a grandson's explanation of his baseball card collection. "She was always interested. She never gave up," Peiffer said.
Her wedding dress had a reprise 10 years ago when Mrs. Riley wore it in a fashion show of vintage clothing at her church. On Oct. 11, 1986, she was the Senior Queen in the annual Christopher Columbus Parade presented by the Greater Eastwood Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Riley was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, the Lucian Guild and St. Ann's Circle. She was also a member of the Eastwood Senior Citizens, Golden Agers and the Onondaga County Women's Republican Club.
Surviving are two daughters, Sister Matilda Anne, C.S.J., of St. Ann's Convent, Syracuse, and Imogene Peiffer of Syracuse; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Her son, Francis S., died in 1974.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Goddard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral Home and 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery.
Calling hours are 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home, 3111 James St.
Contributions may be made to the Retirement Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph, in care of the St. Joseph Motherhouse, Latham.
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