Pauline Riley

SCARBOROUGH — Pauline Ruth Riley, 84, died peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough late Sunday night, March 16, 2014, with her children at her side after a long-term illness (Alzheimer’s).

She was born on Aug. 2, 1929, in South Portland, the daughter of Charles and Viola (Farley) Suddy. Pauline grew up in Portland and attended local schools. She had a diverse working career, all while raising six children; five sons and one daughter.

She was predeceased by her former husband, Wilfred A. Ferrante; her most recent husband, Richard R. Riley Sr.; a son, Ronny Allen Head of Portland; and her two sisters, Theresa Riley of Kansas and Cordelia (Dee) Wilcox of Lubec.

She is survived by a brother, Frank Hager of Portland; four sons, Delmar A. Head Jr. of Portland, Wayne D. Head of Harrison, Randy L. Head of Buxton and Gary A. Head of Buxton; a daughter, Wendy (Ferrante) Morse-Baldwin of Portland; 19 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

As a young woman Pauline began working for Shaw's Supermarket. She then worked for Walgreens, and in the 1950s at National Biscuit Co. (NABISCO) until they closed and moved the company out of Maine. In between children, Pauline worked many years for the City of Portland as a traffic officer. During the 1960s, she worked at Universal Watkins Co., eventually finishing her working career by once again working for the City of Portland at the Portland City Hospital, which soon thereafter transitioned to the Barron Center when the new building was built.

She brought an unforgettable smile and positive energy to her workplaces and made such a difference every day, uplifting the spirits of the patients at the Barron Center. She was loved by all who had the fortune to meet and know her. She was a social butterfly with a vibrant personality, always the life of the party with a funny joke or saying, and a memorable laugh. She was a very generous person. Lending help to those in need and always showing kindness and concern for others.

She loved to dance, listen to country music, crochet, go on shopping expeditions with her daughter and granddaughter, taking walks, sitting lakeside at the camp on Sebago Lake, taking a trip on a cruise ship to Bermuda, visiting family and friends, and attending family gatherings; but most of all she cherished her time being a loving and caring mother and grandmother. She will be sadly missed by all.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, March 19, at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, where prayers were recited at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland. A committal service followed at Evergreen Cemetery. To leave messages of condolence, or sign the online guestbook please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com