Louise Riley

Louise Riley - 09/19/2002 Louise Riley - 09/19/2002 LOUISE RILEY IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Louise Riley, 49, of Dillon, Montana, died September 17, 2002, at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, following a long and hard fought battle with an exceedingly rare blood disease, diagnosed only on the morning of her death. She was born May 17, 1953, at the old Barrett's Hospital in Dillon, Montana, to Fay Clinton Riley and Barbara Louise Collins Riley. Louise attended primary and secondary schools in Dillon, graduating from Beaverhead County High School in 1971 as Co-Valedictorian. She graduated from Montana State University-Bozeman in 1975. She completed an MBA degree at the University of Montana and returned to Dillon to work in the family trucking and livestock businesses. She was very proud to be a native of Dillon. An antique and collectibles consultant/appraiser, as well as a traveling consultant and bookkeeper. An avid member of the Dillon Garden Club, Louise was a Life Judge for the National Garden Club. She and her brother, Michael, were instrumental in the creation, expansion, and development in 1989 of the Centennial Gardens Project on the medians on Helena Street in downtown Dillon. She served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the Dillon Garden Club and was active in volunteering at the Beaverhead County Fair Horticulture Department. She was a landscape student director for National Garden Clubs. She served as correspondence and recording secretary of the MFGC. Louise had an instinctive love of beauty. She loved flower gardening, flower arranging, landscaping, and interior design. Her organizational skills made her a popular member of many groups, including the Dillon Doll, Bear, and Chocolate Society, which she founded. Louise was particularly renowned for the dozens of Christmas trees she and her brother, Michael, donated and displayed annually. Louise loved travel and visited 49 of the 50 states, as well as several European countries. Louise's impact on the lives she touched was enriching and empowering. Her death creates a huge hole in the life of her many friends and family. Louise is survived by her parents, Fay & Barbara Riley of Dillon, brother Craig [Peggy] Riley of Spokane, WA, brother, Michael of Dillon; special cousins Reo Wayne Collins and Cheryl Ann Collins of Idaho Falls, ID; aunts and uncles, Carol Stafford of Salt Lake City, UT; Robert [Verla] Collins of Idaho Falls, ID; Barbara V. Collins of Jerome, ID; special friends Jeanie Hand of Lincolnshire, IL, and Susan Cleverley of Idaho Falls, ID; nephew Sean [Laura] Frost and children Sheridan and Rylee of Spokane, niece, Paige [Dan] Lamb and son, Bailey of Spokane, WA; and many cousins. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2002, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dillon, Montana. The family will visit with friends for one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Arrangements are under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to The Dillon Garden Club, Montana Federation of Garden Clubs – Judge’s Council, The American Society of Leukemia and Lymphoma, or donor’s choice. Dear Mr. & Mrs. Riley and Michael, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. I always considered Louise to be at the top of my list of "the nicest people I know". My thoughts and prayers are with you during the difficult loss. Posted by Leota Colbert Fred @ 09/23/2002 07:31 AM MST Dear Mr. and Mrs. Riley and Michael (and Craig, too), I was so sorry to hear of Louise's death. The obituary is a beautiful testiment to her life. I know you will miss her more than I can imagine. Please know that I am sending my heartfelt sympathy to you and that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all and give you strength. With love, Jan (Mular)Neighbor Posted by Jan Mular Neighbor @ 09/21/2002 05:32 PM MST If you would like to offer your condolences fill in the form below. Name E-Mail Message [ Previous Obituary - Ethel Bird Stowell | Current Obituary | Next Obituary - Douglas W. Hadley III ]