Eleanor M. (Reilly) Riley, age 102, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2025. Born April 23, 1922 in Wilmington, Delaware's Southbridge neighborhood, she was the daughter of Alice Scanlon Reilly and former State Senator John E. Reilly, Sr.

Eleanor was a 1940 graduate of Wilmington High School. Her career included positions with the Dravo Corporation, Delaware Division of Civil Defense, Wilmington District Office U.S. Census Bureau, and law office of Thomas Wingate. Eleanor also served as Chief Deputy of the Delaware Superior Court, Chancery Court, and later as Chief Deputy Register of Wills. Eleanor was an active Democrat, serving in various capacities with the State Democratic Party, including its State Committee Advisory Council and Platform Committee. She also served on the City of Wilmington Charter Revision Commission. Eleanor was proud to serve as a volunteer and later events planner and staff member of Citizens for Biden and Biden for President 1988. She lovingly served and supported her parish church, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, its St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Father James Trainor Memorial Scholarship Fund, and remained active in civic and charitable affairs throughout her life.

Eleanor joyfully undertook family genealogical research for the Reilly and Riley families, delighting in sharing each new bit of information or documentation with her brother, Don, while together recalling the stories of family members they listened to as children. Her collection of documentation is expansive and there for generations to enjoy. Traveling to Ireland, meeting cousins, and continuing correspondence with them was a great and lasting joy for her and a wonderful legacy for the whole U.S. family. Eleanor enjoyed painting, gardening, cooking, and participating in the events and activities of her beloved children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. It was not uncommon for her children to come home from work to find homemade dinners and freshly weeded and planted gardens awaiting them. The "garden elf" also extended these visits to friends, neighbors, and church gardens. She was a devoted friend and champion of all friend and family endeavors.

In addition to her parents, Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, John C. Riley, Sr., her beloved grandson, Alex C. Riley, her brothers John E. Reilly, Jr., Donald H. Reilly, Francis X. Reilly, and Gerald E. Reilly, and her sister, Alice R. Mulshenock. She is survived by her devoted children, John C. Riley, Jr. and wife, Helen (Czerwinski) of Lewes, DE, Martin B. Riley and wife, Suzanne (Bacher) of Wilmington, DE, Lynn Riley and husband, Wade P. Catts of Newark, DE, grandchildren, Kathleen Foster (Carle) and Emily Spear (Greg) of Wilmington DE, and Shannon Bennett (Corinne) of Lacey, WA, six great-grandchildren, Alyssa Foster, Riley and Logan Spear, and Elise, Murphee, and Rowan Bennett, brother, Joseph Reilly (Nancy) of Lewes, DE, and sister, Teresa R. Hayman of Virginia Beach, VA.

Eleanor's family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff, caregivers, and nurses of Rockland Place Assisted Living and Delaware Hospice for their exceptional and loving care of Eleanor.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 600 E. Sixth Street, Wilmington, DE at 11:30 am on March 13, 2025. Visitation will be held preceding the Mass from 10:00 - 11:30 am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Mary's Church, 1414 King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 or Father James Trainor Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/o St. Patrick's Center, 107 East 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.