Patricia L. (Marusco) Riley

On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Patricia Louise (Marusco) Riley, 74, of Newark, Delaware was reunited with her husband, the love of her life, David M. Riley, Sr., with her three children by her side.

She is survived by her children, David Jr. (Jennifer), Gregory Sr. (Suzanne), and Megan Riley; and her amazing grandchildren, Emily, Alexander, Dean, Gregory Jr., Cassidy, and Mason.

Born in Wilmington on May 13, 1950, she was the daughter of the late Rudolph and Rae (Giammatteo) Marusco.

Her Catholic school career took her from Christ Our King to Padua Academy, where she attended dances and football games at Salesianum and met her best friend forever, her Dave. She earned an Associate’s Degree from University of Delaware before getting married on January 2, 1971. That same year, while Dave was on leave from military training in Georgia, they went to Disney World for the first time. Once they had their three children, Disney World became their go-to vacation spot, a tradition they continued with their grandchildren.

In the early 1980’s she started an in-home daycare where hundreds of children became like her own. She was also a medical transcriptionist for many years and loved the life-long friends she made there.

With Patricia, the smallest moments became an event… from baking cookies to a turkey dinner for no reason, Patricia shared everything with her family. She also loved to read, write, and create photo albums for her family.

Patricia never giggled, she just laughed. She was a happy person who loved being around her family -- especially her grandbabies.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Wednesday, April 2 from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 454 Bow Street, Elkton, Maryland on Thursday, April 3 at 9:15AM.  Interment will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, Delaware.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Patricia may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 (https://www.lls.org).

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