Nancy Wahl Riley, beloved Mother and Grandmother passed away peacefully with her children by her bedside on Feb. 7th at the age of 92.
She was born on January 3rd, 1934, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, at age 6. She attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and St. Joseph's Academy for Young Ladies (High School). She graduated with a B.S. from St. Norbert College in 1956, as part of the first graduating class including women.
Nancy moved to Crystal Lake, Illinois when she was offered a sixth grade teaching position in District 47. In 1957, she met Tom Riley at the Crystal Lake Country Club during a round of golf. They were married on July 6,1959 at St. Patrick’s Church in Green Bay. She then started a new position at Marian Central Catholic High School teaching P.E. Shortly thereafter, she left teaching as she and Tom were starting a family. Years later, as the youngest of their five children started high school, she returned to work at the Crystal Lake Park District where she eventually landed a position at the Crystal Lake Racquet Club. She was a life-long, avid tennis player and a fixture at the front desk for many years.
She lived a long life grounded in faith, family, and quiet strength. A devout Catholic, her faith guided her throughout her years and was a source of comfort to her and those around her. Nancy was active at St. Thomas the Apostle in Crystal Lake and St. Mary in Huntley, participating in various ministries at both churches.
Nancy was deeply loved and will be remembered for the kindness and steady presence she offered to all who knew her. She opened her heart and home to anyone who needed a friend or family. Her faith in God and, more importantly, in people, especially us, was often tested but never wavered. Throughout her long life, she found joy in golf, tennis, bridge, reading, playing piano, sunsets, family gatherings, and the Green Bay Packers. Nancy loved the outdoors, including long walks, reading on her patio and enjoying her view of the water. She loved a fun party and was often the life of the party and had a wonderful sense of humor.
She is survived by her children, Thomas (Colette), Annette (John) Malloy, Amy, Megan, Jeff (Heidi); and her grandchildren Meghan, Katie, and Erin Malloy, and Thomas and Kiera Riley. She will also be missed by her brother Nic Wahl, her sisters Mary Meisel and Sandi (Larry) Cramberg, and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas F. Riley,Sr., her parents Nicholas and Annette Wahl, her niece Jennifer (Meisel) Malloy, brother-in-law John Meisel, and sister-in-law Joan Wahl as well as numerous beloved family and friends.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 15th, from 1 to 4 p.m. at De Fiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Rd., Huntley, IL.
A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday, February 16th, at St. Mary Catholic Church, preceded by visitation at the church at 9:00 a.m. before Mass.
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Peace prayers and Love from our family to yours!!
I first met “Miss Wahl” when I was in 7th grade. She was my PE teacher. As a newcomer to the school she was very kind and supportive. A couple of years later I became Tom, Annette and Amy’s babysitter. She even let me drive her old Studebaker!! She will always live in my heart.