Mary (Riley) McPherson
Mary (Riley) McPherson, 66, of Fredonia, N.Y., passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, at Brooks Memorial Hospital.
Mary was born in Dunkirk, N.Y., on April 23, 1955, to Joseph D. and Ann “Nancy” (Rogers) Riley.
She was a graduate of St. Mary’s School and Cardinal Mindszenty High School, class of 1973. While raising her family Mary continued her education at SUNY Fredonia, graduating in 1986, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and English. On September 28, 1974, she married Douglas D. McPherson. The couple had been married 47 years at the time of her passing. Mary had various roles in retail, followed by 16 years at Redwing Carriage House.
Mary was a member of the American Legion Post 59 Auxiliary Unit 59. She enjoyed cooking, reading, crocheting, knitting, swimming and sailing. Mary always had an open door policy when it came to friends, neighbors and animals.
Mary is survived by: her husband, Douglas D. McPherson; her children: J.D. (Sarah Highnote) McPherson, Mariah McPherson (Lauren Gregor), Sarah (Jonathon) Wright and Ian McPherson; grandchildren: Galen McPherson, Elliott Wright and Jocelyn Wright; five siblings: Denis (late Lynn) Riley of Cocoa Beach, Fla., Bruce Riley of Garberville, Calif., Brian (Claudia) Riley of Fredonia, N.Y., Thomas (Mary) Riley of Alameda, Calif., and Brendan (Suzanna) Riley, of San Diego, Calif.; also survived by a sister-in-law, Ellen (Vince) Vacanti of Fredonia, N.Y.; and two brothers-in-law: Gordon (Diane) McPherson, of Camano Island, Wash., and Donald (Kathy) McPherson, of Wilton, N.Y.; and many cousin, nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents. Mary is predeceased by her brother, Donald (Sarah) Riley of Petaluma, Calif.; and her sister, Monica Choperena (Jack Reily), of Petaluma, Calif.
The family gives a special thank you to the staff at Brooks Memorial Hospital.
Visitation will be Saturday Jan. 15, 2022, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the LARSON TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Ave., Fredonia, N.Y., where a funeral service will follow at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Mary’s honor may be made to a charity of choice. On-line condolences may be made at larsontimko funeralhome.com.
Arrangements by David J. Dengler.
