On February 7, 1938, in Pasadena California, a home birth brought into the world, Marilyn Riley, the youngest child of John (Tode) and Loretta (Toots) Riley. She joined her brother, Larry and sister, Kay.
After a couple of moves between California and Nebraska, where Tode and Toots were raised, the family finally settled in Redondo Beach, California. Marilyn attended St. James Catholic School and graduated from Redondo Union High School. She was always very independent and after graduation she got her first job at Networks Electronics making tubes for guided missiles, bought a car, and then rented an apartment. She was attending church one Sunday with a “cute hat” on when a soldier boy from Montana spotted her. It wasn’t long before love blossomed. On February 1, 1958, Mom married Dad, Bill Thomas from Elliston, MT. They had 65 adventurous and wonderful years together.
The young couple moved to Montana, with the promise to the bride of a black horse. The horse took a number of years to materialize, but finally a black Morgan named Rocky entered the family. Except for a couple years in California where Bill was going to Farrier school, Marilyn and Bill lived in Elliston all their married lives, but, having been raised in Redondo Beach, Mom forever had a great love of warm weather and the ocean. She traveled back every year to spend time there with family.
Four children were born to this union, Colleen Sue in 1959, Laura Marie in 1960 Belinda (Lynn) Lou in 1961 and William (Billy) Riley in 1966. Mom was a devoted and loving wife and mother.
Through the years Mom had jobs outside the home. She was a Head Start teacher at the Elliston Grade School, a waitress at Frontier Town, a tree planter and brush piler for the Forest Service. Her favorite job was storekeeper and weather station attendant at the Elliston Store which she and Dad owned for many years. She always enjoyed visiting with the variety of people who came through the door.
Our mom was kind and gentle. She loved music and dancing. Over the years she square danced, clogged, tap danced, line danced, with friends and family or in group performances. She was always ready for fun – a party, a dance, a trip, or any new craft she could learn. She was also adventurous and over the years rode horses, biked, cross country skied, hiked, and loved huckleberry picking. Her long winter indoor projects were knitting, crocheting, playing the piano, and writing. She and Dad co-authored a book, “Elliston Days Gone By”. She also volunteered and was involved in many Elliston community events.
Being a Nana was a true delight in Mom’s life. There were many sleepovers with special desserts. She always had a box of dress-up clothes and hats which inspired many little plays for the entertainment of the family. Time with Nana and Bomps is a treasured memory for each grandchild.
Mom was a devout Catholic. She was a member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Avon and wherever and whenever needed, she volunteered her help. Our station wagon was always full of Elliston kids being transported to catechism classes where she was also a teacher. She continually strived to grow in her faith journey, and she became a Benedictine Oblate in 2003. Her faith life was an inspiration to her family and many others.
Mom passed away in her home on Good Friday surrounded by her loving and devoted family. Thank you, Mom, for being such an amazing role model for us all. Your gentle spirit, faith-life and love will live on with us forever.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Bill, and their children, Colleen and John Quigley, Laura and Steve Marks, Lynn and John Price, Billy and Missi Thomas. She is also survived by her brother, Larry and his wife Margie; sisters-in-law Sherry, Susie, and Cheryl; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-seven great grandchildren, one great, great granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, John and Loretta; sister Kay; grandchildren Jory, Sammi Jo, Isaac, Benjamin, and Maria; brothers-in-law Joe, Jim, Bruce and Bob; nephew’s Barney, Wiley, Danny, Joey and niece Carrie.
Memorials in Marilyn’s name can be made to St. Theodore Mission, PO Box 786, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 or Elliston EMS, PO Box 5, Elliston, MT 59728.
There will be a vigil service at 6:00 pm on April 13th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on April 14th at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 605 Clark Street in Deer Lodge. Burial will follow at the Elliston Cemetery with a reception at the Elliston Gym.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Thursday April 13, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
1:00 p.m.
Friday April 14, 2023
Immaculate Conception Church
605 Clark Street
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Interment
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday April 14, 2023
Elliston Cemetery
Elliston, Montana 59728
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday April 14, 2023
Elliston Gymnasium
Elliston, Montana 59728
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Thursday April 13, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
1:00 p.m.
Friday April 14, 2023
Immaculate Conception Church
605 Clark Street
Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
Interment
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday April 14, 2023
Elliston Cemetery
Elliston, Montana 59728
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday April 14, 2023
Elliston Gymnasium
Elliston, Montana 59728
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Cheryl THOMAS says
I love you Marilyn, I miss you so much already. Our friendship was wonderful, you were so much fun. Berry picking even with an occasional bear was the most fun, cross country skiing up the gulch road getting to the top we would stop and eat our lunch. We did bike riding the 4 of us we had so much fun the tripes we went on were pretty long rides, stopping at the little rivers on the way to play in the water, well anyway Sherry did! we always packed a lunch. Marilyn and I loved to get together and sing, any trips we took together was an occasion to sing. We all had lots of kids (the best kids ever) we went on picknicks together. we were always going to someone’s birthday party (many, many) Looking back on all this makes me so happy! Am I lucky or what!! I Love you Marilyn, I miss you my sweet sister in law.
Jeff and Linda Douglass says
Colleen and family,
Please accept our most sincere condolences at your moms passing.
Judy Webster says
Dearest Colleen, my heart is with you as you & your family mourn the loss of your Mom. I see so much of your Mom’s beauty in you. Our LORD welcomed another one of His children into their Forever Home. Love and Blessings to you and your family.
Millissa Riggin says
My sweet Aunt Marilyn. You were my other Mother. I spent my childhood at your house with cousin Lynn and you were always making me a sandwich and lemonade. As the years went and I became an adult the lemonade turned into a cup of tea. I can still hear your tea kettle.
You taught me so many things in life and instilled some of the greatest values. I was one of them in the back of that station wagon heading to any church related activity. You were the kindest sweetest lady I have ever known. You were always so excited to see people and opened your arms to anyone. I loved watching you dance all the years and especially the clogging. I still have a video of you dancing. I loved dancing in your living room with Lynn as you always had music playing. The list is endless of my favorite things that included you and or your involvement.
When I lived in Elliston you would never forget my birthday and the amount of doilies and other knitted/crocheted items from you were endless. I cherish every one. The memories of you being my Aunt will remain with me forever. My heart is so sad realizing you are truly gone.
I love you my Auntie Marilyn.
Your “favorite niece” 🙂
Millissa
Dennis Davaz says
May the perpetual light shine upon Marylin and may her soul rest in peace. Amen
Dennis and Karen Davaz
Mari Riley-Hite says
Dearest Aunt Marilyn, you have gone to heaven now and we will miss you. We have been so blessed with the time we had with you. I pray now you will forever be in eternal sunlight, in a field of yellow flowers, wearing a perky hat, teaching the children scripture and how to dance. God Bless.
Your loving nieces,
Mari, Patricia and Susan
becky beard says
I’ve never lived in an Elliston without Marilyn’s presence. She is a part of the fabric there, as are all of her family members. Her beautiful eyes smiled on many of us over the years. God Bless to Bill and to the rest of the family.
Tom Reilly says
Laura, Steve, and Thomas Family,
‘Sorry to know of your Mom’s passing. I know she had the very best of care and love through all of you. I did not know your Mom so well, but have known you for long time, Laura. I suspect your Mom had a great influence on the person you are today,- and always have been. The same for your siblings and the other lives your Mom and Dad touched over the years. Blessings,
Tom
Mary Badgett says
Marilyn and I would walk our dogs up the gulch on many a beautiful summer day. She loved walking and just being outdoors. We enjoyed each others company a lot. That was before her illness took away that part of her life. But when we couldn’t do that any longer, I’d take some popcorn up to her house and her, Bill and I would eat and have some good talks. I’ve missed her quite a while now. Be at peace, Marilyn! Love you.
Ralph and Dianne Hoffman says
Colleen, sending our heartfelt condolences to you and your family for the passing of your mom.