RILEY, Ellen Vale (Pat)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Sunday, December 13, 2006 Ellen Vale Riley (Pat) passed away on Dec. 2, 2006, at the New Horizons Care Home in Chino Valley, Ariz. Pat was born in Yerington, Nev., on March 26, 1927, to Ella Swanson Riley and Linford Dale Riley. The Riley’s were amongst the earliest settlers of Mason Valley, Nev. Pat attended Yerington Schools and graduated from high school in 1943. She graduated from the University of Nevada with a BA in journalism in 1947. Pat was a member of Theta Theta Chapter of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was very active in a number of student affairs. Pat received her MA in Education Administration from San Francisco State University in 1974. Pat had several very successful careers. Her first was that of a reporter in Susanville, Calif. Next she was Alex Cushing's public relations executive from the inception of Squaw Valley Development Corp. She was on the team responsible for bringing the 1960 Olympics to Squaw Valley, Calif. Pat received her teaching credential and embarked on a successful career as an educator/administrator in the California schools. Her last career was that of Realtor/broker and owner of Vista Real Estate in Sebastopol, Calif. Upon retirement, she moved to Prescott Ariz. She was an active member of the Prescott Travel Club and she traveled extensively all over the world. Pat wrote many articles for the travel section of the Prescott newspaper. Pat was an excellent skier, tennis player and golfer. She encouraged young girls to learn to play golf by organizing a junior golf program in the middle school and high school of Prescott. She was a member of the Church of Spiritual Living in Prescott. Pat loved the outdoors and she especially treasured the times she went hunting and fishing with her father. Pat's Christmas letters were received with great enthusiasm by family and friends all over the world. Her gift with words was truly remarkable. Pat's wonderful memory and sense of humor made her a great storyteller as well. She loved her family and friends and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Pat was preceded in death by her brother, Linford Dale Riley Jr., in 1994. Pat is survived by longtime friend, companion and care-giver Marilyn Griffin; sister-in-law Mrs. Linford Dale Riley Jr.; niece and nephews Anne Elizabeth Riley, Nicholas Robert Riley, Thomas Anthony Riley (Emmanuella), Andrew Perence Riley (Kris); cousins Harriet Anderson McGuire, Diane Lewers Buckman, and Patricia Dear Hillerman; and former husband Robert James Tyldesley. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice or to the Church of Spiritual Living, 3755 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301. Chino Valley Funeral Home is caring for the family. Information provided by survivors.