Maree “Ree” Riley

Memorial Mass for Maree “Ree” Riley, age 78, of Norfolk, will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Norfolk. Reverend Gregory Carl will be the celebrant. Inurnment will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery. 

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday at the church, followed by a 10:00 a.m. Rosary. 

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

She passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the Stanton Health Center.

Ree was born January 24, 1947, in Fairbury, Nebraska, the youngest child of Hugh B. Riley and Maree (McGeer) Riley. Ree attended Duchesne College in Omaha and completed her undergraduate education at College of St Mary's in Omaha in 1969.

After beginning a master's degree program in English at UNL, Ree returned to Fairbury to care for her father. Ree resided in Fairbury for the next 15 years before moving to Norfolk in 1984. Ree worked for St. Joseph's Nursing Home in Norfolk for nearly 30 years as an assistant activities director and then as activities director. Ree was devoted to Sacred Heart Parish, Norfolk, and was an Oblate with the Missionary Benedictine Sisters.

Ree had tremendous faith and was a prayer warrior. Ree enjoyed reading, silver screen movies, her pets, a good laugh, and good conversation with her many friends.

Ree was preceded in death by her parents and her three siblings: Hon. William Riley of Grand Island, Katherine "Kay" Gatz of Norfolk, and Daniel Riley of Columbus, and by her brother-in-law, CJ "Jack" Gatz, and sister-in-law, Margaret "Marde" Riley.

Ree is survived by sister-in-law, Sandra Riley; several nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.

Memorial donations may be made to the Missionary Benedictine Sisters in Norfolk, or to Sacred Heart Parish in Norfolk.

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