By: Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Catherine "Kitty" Riley put her family first, and in doing so helped an entire community.

She served as president of the Seton Mothers' Club, trained Girl Scout leaders, and was president of Delhi Community Council.

"She was very supportive of all her children. And she was so friendly - she could always remember faces and names. It was quite amazing - her memory," said her daughter, Joan Brogan of Mack.

Catherine Riley died Friday at Bayley Place in Delhi Township after a long illness. She was 93.

The lifelong Delhi Township resident attended Elder High School for three years and was in the first graduating class of Seton High School in 1928.

During the Depression, she worked as an executive secretary at Cincinnati Bell Telephone Co.

"She was doing shorthand up until her 90s. People don't really use shorthand anymore - so to remember how to do it at that age is really remarkable," her daughter said.

Mrs. Riley stopped working professionally after marrying Ed Riley in 1935, although she returned briefly to Cincinnati Bell during World War II.

After the births of her daughters, she dedicated herself to raising them and took an active approach to bettering their Delhi Township community.

She was Seton High School's first alumnae president, and was a Girl Scout leader and leader-trainer.

Mrs. Riley served as president of Delhi Township Community Council, where one of her main objectives was beautifying the area.

Mrs. Riley was also past secretary of St. Dominic Parent Teacher Association; a charter member of the Delhi Historical Society; and an active member of Delhi Seniors.

Besides her daughter, Joan, and husband of 68 years, Ed Riley, other survivors include another daughter, Mary "Meg" Riestenberg of Covedale; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Vitt, Stermer & Anderson Funeral Home, 4619 Delhi Road, Delhi Township.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Dominic Church, 371 Pedretti Road, Delhi Township.

Burial will be in St. Joseph New Cemetery, Price Hill.

Memorials can be made to Seton High School Scholarship Fund, 3901 Glenway Ave., Cincinnati, 45205, or to Vitas Hospice Care, 11500 Northlake Dr., Cincinnati, 45249.

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E-mail: nhamilton@enquirer.com