Helen E (Radgowski) Riley

Helen E (Radgowski) Riley, 82, of Indian Trail, NC passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday November 18, 2020 under the watchful care of her devoted daughter Mary.

Helen was born to Walter and Sophie Radgowski on June 14, 1938 in Pittsfield, MA. After graduating from Pittsfield High School she received her LPN designation from Faulkner Hospital School of Nursing in Boston, MA. She married the love of her life , Thomas J Riley, who was from New Bedford, MA on October 11, 1958. They had seven children. Three boys Michael, David and Thomas and two sets of twin girls; Mary and Martha, followed nine years later by Jennifer and Jean.

Helen ruled the Riley home with the skill of a drill sergeant and the dedication of a Downton Abbey servant. Part disciplinarian, part nurse and always the chief cook-pot-and-bottle-washer. There was a constant flow of laundry to do, school lunches to be made, bills to pay and dinners to prepare. Helen also worked the overnight shift from 11 PM to 7 AM. She was the real life "Wonder Woman".

Helen often would fall asleep watching TV while forcing the unfortunate child seated at the end of the couch  into giving her a foot massage. Just when you thought Helen fell asleep and you could stop rubbing her feet, she would twitch her legs, kick-starting another five minutes of handwork.

Helen was preceded in death by her father Walter, her mother Sophie, her husband Thomas, her sister Jean and her daughter Jennifer. Left to cherish her memory are her six children Michael, David, Thomas, Mary, Martha and Jean as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen E (Radgowski) Riley, please visit our floral store.