Mary Ann Derleth

Mary Ann Derleth (Riley) Age 78 Born January 6th, 1939 Died August 29th, 2017 After a courageous one-year journey living with ALS, Mary Ann left this world and went home to heaven. Mary Ann is predeceased by her Mother and Father, Arlene and Elmer Derleth and four of her six brothers, Dick, Tom, Chip and Butch, her sisters in laws Mary, Pat, Anita, Arlene and Pat as well as her father and mother in-law Thomas and Eleanor Riley. Mary Ann is survived by her brothers Harry, John, and sister in law Hazel. Her four children, Eileen, Thomas (Saundra), Michael, and Stephen. Brother and Sister in Laws; Greg and Mary Ann Riley, Michael and Marie Riley, Kathy and George Denniston, Dave and Jenny Riley, and ex-husband Thomas Riley. Her Grandchildren and Great Grand Children, Nikki, Danielle, Ali, Leah, Mackenzie, Sammy, Amara, Judah, and Ava. She is also survived by 34 nieces and nephews, as well as many loving and wonderful friends. Mary Ann was born to Arlene and Elmer Derleth on Jan 6th, 1939 in Rochester, NY. Mary Ann grew up in the 19th ward. She loved her childhood going through so many adventures with friends and her large family. She was blessed to be so close with grandparents, her parents, her six older brothers also her beloved Sauer’s cousins and many other friends and family members. She loved and excelled at school and graduated from West High in 1956. Mary Ann married Thomas Riley and they had four children which were raised in the 10th ward community of Rochester. The family were involved at Sacred Heart Cathedral where the kids attended school, both parents and children alike have fond memories of the great times and the strong ties of friends and family that the Rochester neighborhoods are known for. Mary Ann began working as a graphic designer until she took a job for Kodak as a Copy Products Representative and after her divorce she moved to Windsor, Conn. She loved her time in Windsor where she made many wonderful lifelong friends. Mary Ann excelled at Kodak becoming the number one Copy Products Sales person in the country. Due to her success after a couple of years Mary Ann was offered a position in Sales and Management Training back in Rochester and she jumped at the opportunity to return and be nearer to her hometown with friends and family. She excelled again receiving several promotions as an Executive at Kodak Corporate. In 1992, after much prayer and contemplation Mary Ann decided to leave the security of her corporate occupation and devote her life to helping the less fortunate. She attended Empire College, SUNY Brockport, and ultimately moved to Orlando and obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Central Florida all with Highest Honors. For the next twenty-five years her spiritual calling was the selfless helping of persons suffering from mental illness, homelessness and many others who were facing challenging times. Mary Ann was an incredibly sensitive and caring person doing the work that suited her so well. It is hard to say just how many distraught men and women Mary Ann was able to console in her time here. It is safe to say many troubled souls were well served because she answered the call when they needed someone just to be there. She clearly possessed a passion and a gift for helping others in navigating life’s difficulties. In addition to her vocation, Mary Ann was the consummate true friend and unconditional loving relative. For so so many she was the “go to” person for the trials and tribulations we all face. Many nieces and nephews look to her as not only Aunt Mary Ann but also as a mother figure. Without question her children and grandchildren have leaned on and benefitted from her Guidance, Example and Eternal Unconditional Love! We Welcome All in joining us in celebrating this truly remarkable person. Mary Ann Derleth Memorial Service with Reception Immediately Following Spiritus Christi Church 121 N. Fitzhugh St. Rochester, N. Y. 14614 10:00 A.M. September 9th, 2017

Mary Ann Derleth

January 6, 1939 - August 29, 2017