Phyllis Riley, age 94, of Oak Park Heights, MN, formerly longtime Afton, MN resident, passed away on February 16, 2017 at the Gables at Boutwell’s Landing.
Phyllis was born on June 11, 1922 in Rochester, MN, the daughter of Allen and Alice (Hall) Haggerty. She grew up in Rochester, attended St. John the Evangelist High School, and went on to obtain an Associates Degree from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Metropolitan State University.
On July 18, 1948 she was united in marriage to William Joseph Riley, and they were blessed with eight children. Phyllis worked for many years as a Registered Nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, and in 1968 became the Assistant Director of Education at Mounds Park Hospital.
Phyllis placed great importance on her faith. She served as a Eucharist Minister at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and Croixdale Retirement Community. She was also an active member of her parish. She loved spending time with her family and friends, and was a pleasant person to be around. Earlier in life, she found great delight in boating on the St. Croix River in the summers, and enjoyed wintering in Arizona and participating in her Poker Club. Phyllis had a sweet tooth, favoring a big bowl of Butter Pecan ice cream.
She is survived by her children: Mark (Susan) Riley of Inver Grove Heights, MN; William (Alvina) Riley of Edina, MN; David (Jeri) Riley of Mt. Vernon, WA; Mary Riley of Arlington, VA; Jon (Laura) Riley of Flower Mound, TX; Karen (Jerry) Evans of Junction City, OR; Joseph (Karen) Riley of Lake St. Croix Beach, MN; and Anna (Ted) Sage of Lake Forest, CA.
She is survived by 22 grandchildren: Megan, Katie (Martin), Lisa Alvarez, Bill (Masi), Andrea (James), Daniel (Stephanie), Jon, Kevin, Erinn, Samuel (Sarah), Joseph (Stephanie), David, Elizabeth, Caleb, Victoria (Joe), Christopher, Alanna (Conor), Marisa (Adam), Jacob, Marais (TJ), Daniel (Lorna), Ashley, and Danielle; 14 great-grandchildren: Danica, Taylor, Mika, Lucio, Emily, Grayson, Alayna, Kiona, Avery, Peyton, Evan, Phoenix, Avna, Rayden, Mia, and Makayla.
She is survived by siblings: Alice Ann (Carl) Mulvihill, and Dennis (Cathy) Haggerty; sister-in-law, Sharon (Larry) Haggerty-Anderson and Margaret Haggerty; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William; parents; grandson, David Joseph Riley; and siblings: Richard (Eleanor) Haggerty, Larry (Jean) Haggerty, Helen (Louie) Sell, Joe Haggerty, and David Haggerty.
Visitation for Phyllis will be held 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson, WI. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 16770 13th St S, Lake St. Croix Beach, MN, with a visitation held one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery in Afton, MN.