Shirley Margaret Riley

Born to Eternal Life on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at the age of 94. Beloved wife of the late James P. Riley. Devoted mother of Patrick (Gerald Christmas) Riley, Sharon (Robert Titley) Riley, Sheila (Ned Kraft) Riley, Michael (Vicki Fagerness) Riley, Mary Helen (Dan Schmidt) Riley, Tim (Jean) Riley, and the late Margaret Riley. Grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of 14. Sister of Dick Barron and the late James R. Barron. Sister in law of Rita Barron. Also loved by other relatives and friends.

Shirley Margaret Riley (née Barron) was born In Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 12, 1927 to James and Lydia Barron. She was the cherished big sister of Dick and Jim Barron. 

 Shirley attended St. Sebastian Elementary School, Pius XI High School, where she met her future husband, James P. Riley (Jim), who, in part, won her over with hot fudge sundaes from Gilles.

 She began her college studies at Mount Mary University majoring in  Home Economics, and then took an extended break when she married Jim in 1950. They started a family, which grew to seven children, giving her plenty of real life home economic experience. Shirley was also a gifted seamstress, a skill she taught her four daughters.

 Jim’s career took them from Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL and eventually back to Milwaukee. As the children grew, Shirley’s determination and drive led her to complete her college degree at Mount Mary, approximately 20 years later.

 Shirley’s profound faith, so lovingly shared with Jim, compelled them to provide a Catholic education for all of their children from 1st grade through high school, and at the university level for five of their seven children.

 Her faith called her to service as a Eucharistic Minister at St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA and later at Alexian Village in Milwaukee. She was also a Hospice volunteer providing respite care to family caregivers in Arlington, VA.

 Shirley found blissful contentment being near and in water; whether it was participating in water aerobic classes, floating serenely beyond the breakers on family vacations at Rehoboth Beach, DE, or watching glorious sunsets from the patio in St. Maartens and over Brandy Lake from her Northwoods retreat in Woodruff, WI.

 She was a gracious hostess of many holiday parties where family and friends delighted in hearing her warm-hearted laugh.

When her dear husband Jim died after 51 years of marriage, Shirley was blessed to find love again and married Philip McGuire. Shirley and Phil enjoyed 7 years of marriage before his passing.

 Seeing and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren was an infinite source of joy for Shirley.

 Her very positive and pleasant outlook, despite physical and mental limitations, was a loving lesson for us all. She will remain much loved and greatly missed by her family and friends.

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