Patricia Marguerite Riley was born on this date in the City of Providence to the late Helen Frances Manning (1921-1994) and the late William Leo Riley (1912-1985). Patricia’s paternal grandfather was the late Patrick Leo Riley (1875-1955) and Marguetta Etta Greenhalgh (1876-1962).
Blessed with two sons, Brian Lightfoot Brown and Kyle Clearwater Brown, Patricia also has two brothers, William and Paul.
Patricia has great hair. (L to R) her former style, her very recent cut coif styled by her son Kyle.
Rita Patricia (Coleman) Riley was born in Pawtucket on this date in 1917 to the late Mary Anne Kenney (1885 – 1952) and the late Martin F. Coleman (1877 – 1853).
Rita lived her whole life in and around Pawtucket, but had strong ties to Ireland with both of her parents being born in The Emerald Isle.
She married Frances Charles Riley (1915 – 2004) in October of 1941, just before Frances joined the US Army and left for WWII in the European Theatre. They had one son, Stephen F. Riley who’s own daughter, Annie celebrated her birthday yesterday.
Martha Mulligan was born on this date in the City of Pawtucket to the late Margaret Ernestine Riley (1910 – 1989) and to the late Walter Francis Xavier Mulligan (1906 – 1957).
Martha was the second born of four Mulligan children (Judy, Martha, Paula and Kevin). She spent her early years in Pawtucket before entering the Roman Catholic religious order of the Sisters of Mercy. Martha’s devotion and vocation have taken her to all levels of the teaching profession, from her first teaching assignment at St. Edward’s in Pawtucket to her principalships at St. John the Evangelist in Attleboro and then Mercymount Country Day in Cumberland.
Have a good Birthday, Sister.
Here are a few photos:
Bay View Academy graduation
Habit and a hat. Pictured with Peg RileyHappy Birthday
Marion Rosemond Riley was born on this date in 1902 to the late Marguetta E. Greenhalgh (1876 – 1962) and the late Patrick Leo Riley (1875 – 1955) in the City of Pawtucket.
Marion was the third born in this second generation family (Kathleen, Patrick J., Marion R., Gertrude C., Rosanna, Margaret E., William L. and Francis C.) and lived her whole life in Pawtucket, primarily in two locations; 19 Pond Street and 52 Wilton Avenue. Although she never married, Marion was engaged to a young man named Robert F. McElroy, who, by all accounts was a great guy. Mr. McElroy, who died on the 10th of January in 1937, actually plays an important part of this blog/website.
Robert’s mother Catherine, a widow, owned the three story house at 19 Pond Street. The Riley family lived on the second and third floors, 21 and 23 respectfully. When Robert passed away, Marion became Catherine’s caregiver. In fact, I seem to recall my father (Patrick J. 1900 -1985) saying that Marion moved downstairs and lived with Mrs. McElroy all in an effort to provide her needed late night care. When Mrs. McElroy passed away, the 19 Pond Street property was deeded to Marion. For the next forty years, 19 Pond Street became the setting for the Riley Family gatherings, thus the name of this blog – 19 Pond Street.
Marion’s working life was spent as a weaver toiling in Pawtucket’s textile factories (I have a wooden bobbin from one of her spinning lines). A quiet and kind woman, Marion loved her cups of tea, her puzzles and novels. She lived 91 years, passing away on August 22, 1993 at the Mount St. Rita’s Health Centre in Cumberland.
Attached are some photos of Marion:
Portrait taken at the Shepard Store Studio in Providence post WWII Picture taken from driveway side of 19 Pond StreetMarion with some youngster somewhereAt a beach with her sister Gertie, maybe they are 17 and 15 years oldOne of Marion’s 91 birthdays Another birthday cake, this one at the Riley Family reunion on Wilton Ave.
Recently, I rediscovered an old letter sent to my father (‘PJ” – Patrick J. Riley) from “Uncle Bill.” It was sent during World War II when Bill was serving in the Army somewhere in France. Although there is no year posted in the letter, the day of its composition reads, “July 26 In France”. I am not going to post all three pages of the letter, because it would take up too much space, but I will type out some tidbits.
In the letter Bill wrote, “had me a birthday the other day, (July 24) my third in the khakis.” He thoughtfully inquired as to the well-being of various pals and fellows of his, and he let us know that his brother Francis and nephew Russell Mulligan, had both received Army promotions. Bill made mention of “Casey”, (Uncle Fred to us) who at that time had been in the South (Pacific) and had “been banging around down there for quite a while.”
There is a reference to some packages that “Ma” had sent him, and he also asked his brother “PJ” how Barbara, Joan and Bill and Jim were doing.
He signed off his letter with the following: “Well it seems strange to think of being here in France. I wish I could relate some of the things I’ve witnessed, it’s history in a hurry, but it will have to wait.”
Earlier this year Paula has this photo sent along to 19 Pond Street. Guess which one is Kevin? Hint, Paula is wearing the earrings. The picture was taken outside Paula’s home in Florida after her final chemo treatment – looking good and doing fine.
19 Pond Street 