Crucy Riley

Crucy Riley was born in the lower East side of Manhattan to a Sicilian family, her father, Thomas, a male nurse and veteran, and her loving mother Maria. Born on Thanksgiving, the youngest of 5, she only weighed 4 pounds, but would develop an outsize influence on everybody who knew and loved her. She adored her siblings- Peter, Frances, Carlo, and Joe and her grandparents whom she lived with. Her nieces and nephews, in laws, and neighbors also held a special place in her heart. As a guidance counselor for 40 years in the Mt. Vernon school system, generations of students had access to her kind and wise guidance. She had mentored many who went on to become leaders in Mt. Vernon and New York State politics.

Crucy started her life long love of education at Blessed Sacrament, Cathedral High School, then went to Fordham University while working at AT+T before being accepted into the Maryknoll Missionary Order to dedicate her life in service to the Lord, but God had other plans for her and she went on to Mercy College and to Hunter College for her Masters and then attained her Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy degree at Iona College. Her achievements as a Professor in Psychology and in counseling lead her to be inducted into the Mercy College Hall of Fame.

In 1971, at Cresthaven CYO she met her life partner Thomas Riley and they fell in love. Her dreams came true when she met Tom, and they were married for 53 years. So began the life of Riley. They had their first daughter Gina, and were overjoyed with their time as a young couple with a new baby in Astoria. Then in 1977, Tom and Crucy moved to Rockland County and lived there as a family with her beloved mother. “New house, new baby” was a constant refrain from Crucy and her daughter Bernadette was born a few years later. Crucy treasured her girls. As a mom, she would take her girls to dance, music lessons, museums, house tours, shopping, Broadway plays, and libraries. Their day trips were epic- to Newport, Rhode Island many times, and frequent longer trips to Disney. She loved her family fiercely and was a full time working mom, full time wife, and did it all. She became a grandma when Ben was born and he was her pride and joy. She believed in education, she loved poetry, the arts, travel, and imbued a strong appreciation of the arts, culture tolerance, and community into her family. Crucy loved life, and her family meant everything to her. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Tom, daughter Dr. Gina Riley, her son in law Bill, her grandson Ben and her daughter Dr. Bernadette Riley.