Mary Catherine Riley “MiMi” (1960 – 2024)

Mary Catherine Riley, 64, of Front Royal, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Bentonville Baptist Church, 2537 Stonewall Jackson Hwy, Bentonville, Virginia 22610, with Dr. C. Wayne Woodward officiating. Burial will follow in Bentonville Cemetery.

Mary was born on August 15, 1960, in Front Royal, Virginia, the daughter of the late Blanch R. Day and William S. Riley. She was a member of the Bentonville Baptist Church and worked for Warren County Public Schools for 35 years.

She is survived by her spouse, Blaine W. Keller, and her sisters, Barbara Jean Brinklow, Shirley Ann Henry, and Vicky Lynn Pineda (Edward)of Front Royal. Mary didn’t have any children of her own, but she was a second mother to Jessica Lynn “Woodis Lou” Matthews, Christopher Michael “Fancy” Riley, David Allen “DJ” Riley Jr., and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, her loving father, Ervin R. Day; sister, Ruth Lee Hammond; and brothers, David Allen Riley Sr. and William Donald Riley Sr.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 W Main St., Front Royal, Virginia.

Chris Deavers, George Foster Jr., Dusty Henry, Christopher Riley, Cody Matthews, Doug Keller, Michael Keller, Jeffrey Fuller, Bryan Mosher, and Will Deavers will be Pallbearers.

Mary’s friends Cindy Rutherford, Francine Jackson, Doris Harr, Sonja Osbourn, Susan Willaims, Gaylene Stewart, Michael Whitehouse, and the teachers and staff of Warren County Middle School will be honorary pallbearers.

Mary was Ms. Riley to the schoolchildren, and she formed numerous bonds with them throughout her 35 years of public service at Warren County. Mary liked making desserts and was famous for her chocolate éclair, which was often auctioned off to help with the food drive that she supported through the school. She also enjoyed walking and running throughout the streets of Front Royal. She loved praising the Lord with the church choir on Sunday Mornings. Mary and her sister, Shirley, enjoyed their weekend shopping sprees. Mary and Blaine enjoyed watching TV, spending quality time together and eating their favorite meal, “pinto beans with macaroni and cheese”. Mary will be dearly missed by her family and friends and those whose lives she touched.

A special thank you to all of the caregivers who took care of Mary during her short battle with cancer.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bentonville Baptist Church, 2537 Stonewall Jackson Hwy, Bentonville, Virginia 22610, or Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W Cork St. Suite 400, Winchester, Virginia 22601, instead of flowers.