Lorraine Riley

Lorraine A. Riley, age 87, of Swan Falls Assisted Living, in Kuna, formerly of Mountain Home and Farmingham, Massachusetts, passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2017, at her home after a brief illness.

Lorraine was born on January 2, 1930, in Whitman, Massachusetts, the daughter of Miriam and Charles Simmons.

She worked as a waitress at the historically famous Toll House Restaurant in Whitman during the 1940’s and 1950’s.

She married Winthrop Adams Riley (Win) on June 2, 1955, in Waukegan, Illinois.

Following Win’s death in 1980, Loraine began work as a secretary at the Massachusetts Department of Social Services. Over the course of 25 years she worked her way through the ranks, and furthered her education, attaining her goal as a licensed social worker. Her compassion and devotion to her clients made her a champion of those in need, lobbying for the passage of legislation, which improved the lives of people with disabilities and the mentally ill. Lorraine also worked tirelessly lobbying for legislation which would make parental kidnapping a Federal offense.

Lorraine was loved by her children and their families. She loved to laugh and joke and enjoyed a good game of Pinochle. She wasn’t dealt a perfect hand, but she played it well.

She is survived by: her son Steve Riley of Mountain Home, her daughter Victoria Marks, of Framingham, Massachusetts, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Win and her siblings, Audrey, Howard, Bobbie, Shirley, Warren and Richard.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at The Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene. Following that her ashes will be returned to Whitman Massachusetts and inurned with her husband and family. Cremation is under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home.