Burial Services For Marde Riley

A Mass of Christian Burial for Marde Riley, age 82 of O’Neill, will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday, October 21, 2016, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in O’Neill.

A Private Burial will be at the Grand Island Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 20, 2016, from 5-8 P.M., with a 7:00 P.M. Rosary at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill. Marde passed away Sunday, October 16th at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill.

Memorials may be given to Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital or the NET Foundation for Television and Radio.

Marde was born in O’Neill on April 12, 1934, the daughter of Hugh John and Mary DeMaris (Stout) Birmingham. She joined older sisters Mary Louise (Gay) and Barbara and the three girls enjoyed many years of love and friendship and especially traveling and spending time together.

Marde attended St. Mary’s Academy and later Duchense College, graduating in 1955 with a degree in Sociology. She lived and worked for a time in Denver, Colorado before marrying William H. Riley on June 14, 1958. First living in Omaha, NE while Bill finished his degree at Creighton Law School, they later moved to his hometown of Fairbury, NE where he practiced law as the County Judge and she established a loving home. They welcomed a daughter, Nancy Louise, in 1959 and a son, Thomas Hugh, in 1969. The family moved to Grand Island, NE where Bill presided as a Workmen’s Compensation Judge and later as a District Judge. Marde took great joy in her children’s lives and was very involved in their parish at St. Leo’s Catholic Church where she sang in the choir. Following Bill’s unexpected death in 1992, Marde rejoined her sisters and moved back to O’Neill, building a house across the street from the original family home. She loved being a grandmother and was thrilled spending time with her grandchildren and watching them grow as individuals. Marde was deeply spiritual and always sought to deepen her understanding and connection to God. She was a loyal and devoted friend whose support, compassion and encouragement knew no bounds. She was as quick with her ability to make you laugh as she was to offer a hug or a push in the right direction. Her quiet strength and wisdom were a blessing to her family and friends alike. Generous with her time and resources, Marde supported numerous causes, volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was often known to deliver a plate of delicious homemade fudge at just the right time.

She is survived by her daughter Nancy McGill (Jeff), son Tom (Amy), grandchildren Abby, Jack and Andy, and many dear friends and family.
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Marde was preceded in death by her husband Bill, parents, Hugh and DeMaris Birmingham, sisters Mary Lou (Dutch) Gay and Barbara Birmingham.

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