Obituary of Norma T. Riley

Milton – Norma Esther (Thompson) Riley, 88, died peacefully Tuesday morning, August 6, 2019, at the Converse Home in Burlington, VT, surrounded by her children. 

Norma was born on March 28, 1931, the daughter of George and Ardelle (Grow) Thompson.  She graduated from Milton High School in 1948, and received a certificate from Burlington Business College in 1949.  On November 15, 1952, she married Burton George Riley at the United Church of Milton, and together they lived and raised their family on Herrick Avenue in Milton.  Many happy times were spent there with family and friends, and memories made to last a lifetime.  

Norma worked at the Milton Cooperative Creamery in the office and at the Milton Elementary School as a secretary, “retiring” to become a stay-home mom.  She enjoyed many simple pleasures in life - gardening, reading, bowling, puttering around her house; spending time with family and friends, and a good glass of wine.  She was a member of the United Church of Milton and the Order of the Eastern Stars. 

Norma is survived by her children:  daughter Cindy and her husband Bob, of Liberty Hill, Texas; son, Stacey Riley and his wife Robin, of Colchester, VT; and daughter Amy and her husband Mike of Milton, VT.  Norma was also the proud and loving Grammy of Rachel Maher, Adam Hazel, Nicholas Riley, and Alison and Ryan Joseph, and Great-Grammy to Emma Maher.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Burton Riley on June 4, 2003; and by her siblings, Ruth Barrows, Allen Thompson and Robert Thompson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Norma’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, Vermont Chapter at 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 130, Williston, VT  05495.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Converse Home, especially those in Gardenview, for their loving and compassionate care of Norma in her final years.  Since moving there in 2013, her smile, laugh, spunk and sometimes sassy ways endeared her to all who worked there and cared for her.  Please know that you all have become a second family to us and will always hold a very special place in our hearts.  Thank you also to Phyllis Thompson and Jeanette Adams for their constant support of Norma over the course of her journey. 

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 from 4-7pm at the Minor Funeral Home in Milton.  A Funeral Service for Norma will be held on Friday August 9 at 11 am, at the United Church of Milton, with burial following in the Milton Village Cemetery.