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Lynn F. Riley

Lynn F. Riley

It is with great sadness that the family of Lynn F. Riley announces her passing on July 23, 2018 in Merritt Island, FL at the age of 70. Lynn will be lovingly remembered by her husband Denis, her sons Patrick of Los Angeles, CA and Kevin of Washington D.C., her daughter-in-law Sandra and her grandsons Jacob and Zachary.

She was the beloved daughter of Ruth L. Fitzgerald and the late John G. “Yogi” Fitzgerald of Dunkirk, NY and dear sister of John H. Fitzgerald and his wife Amy of Fredonia, NY.

Lynn was born June 14, 1948 in Dunkirk and attended St. Mary School and Cardinal Mindszenty High School. Lynn then attended Catherine McCauley School of Nursing at St. Jerome Hospital in Batavia, NY, graduating as a licensed practical nurse.

While Denis was serving in the U.S. Navy, Lynn lived in four states in four years and worked at Virginia Beach General Hospital. After returning to their native Western New York, settling in the Buffalo suburb of Williamsville, Lynn stayed at home to care for her sons. An interest in small business in the ’80s saw her start two home-based enterprises before becoming co-owner of a retail shop, the Dublin House of Fine Irish Imports, for 17 years. In 2007, Lynn and Denis retired to Merritt Island, FL, where she enjoyed trips to the beach; membership in the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a women’s philanthropic organization; and card games with friends – all while fighting cancer with great perseverance and tenacity.

She was a brave and gracious lady who maintained a positive attitude through all of her terrible pain and suffering. She never complained or lost her sense of humor even in her last days. Lynn’s love for her family was the center of her life. She was and remains the heart of her family.A funeral Mass will be held on Monday July 30th at 11:00 a.m. at Divine Mercy Church in Merritt Island. Interment will be on Friday, August 17, 2018 in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Dunkirk. In lieu of flowers, donations to the P.E.O. Sisterhood, the child sponsorship charity Unbound, or the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation would be greatly appreciated.