A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Mary Lou Riley, 78, of Newark, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 10:30 A.M., Monday, September 18, 2023, with Fr. Mike Gentry as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Newark.

Mary Lou, a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, died at SharonBrooke Assisted Living on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.  She was born in Newark, Ohio on December 21, 1944, to the late Helen C. (Clemings) and Richard McCabe.

A 1962 graduate of Newark High School, Mary Lou received her RN degree from COTC and worked in labor and delivery at Licking Memorial Hospital. She was also a public health nurse with the Licking County Health Department where she dedicated many years as their lactation consultant. Mary Lou's caring support, encouragement, and education was an invaluable impact for many new mothers in the Licking County area.

Mary Lou cherished her family and was such an active part of their daily lives. She loved attending the events of her children and grandchildren, whatever it may be. She enjoyed reading and watching football with her companion pup "Rudy", especially the Notre Dame games.

She will be greatly missed by her children, Bill Riley Jr. (Jennifer), Annette (Stephen) Corl, Darby (Luann) Riley, Terri (Jeff) Hempleman, and Rich (Amy) Riley; grandchildren, Tanner, Taylor, Sam (Cait), Kevin (Katie), Daniel, Peyton, Reese, Ally (Nick), Riley, Cory, Abby, Alison, and Erica (Shawn, and daughter Chloe), Kyle (Brooke, and son Kole); great-grand-daughters, Logan and Camryn; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Patrick (Billie) Riley, Teresa (Gary) Grigsby, and Cricket Riley; step-brother-in-law, Joseph (Peggy) Serfozo; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mary Lou was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, William "Bill" Riley; dear grandson, Brady Michael Hempleman; stepfather, James G. Voge; sisters-in-law, Mollie (Ronald) Overbey, Ruth (Dale) Jones; bother-in-law, James "Fred" Riley; and step-brother-in-law, Chuck Serfozo.

Friends and family may call at the REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, 2-5 P.M., Sunday, September 17, 2023, with a Vigil Service held at 4:30 P.M.

Memorials in Mary Lou's name can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

To share your memory of Mary Lou, leave a condolence for the family, or view his video tribute, please visit www.reedegan.com