Constance Lynne Riley

Constance L. “Connie” Riley, a beloved resident of Merriam, Kansas passed away peacefully in her home on November 25, 2024, five days after her 78th birthday. She was born at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Colorado. She was the daughter of Justus C. “J.C.” Riley and Novi Lee Riley. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Garrard B. “Gary ZipDog” Riley and his wife Teresa.

Connie is survived by Patrick Riley, her brother and his wife, Margaret Martin, nieces (the daughters of Garrard and Teresa), Daphne Janow and her husband Joe, Amber Page and her husband Josh and Holly Williams, ten great nieces and nephews; six great, great nieces and nephews, (all lovingly calling her “Aunt Connie”, as did the children of many of her friends), and many cousins and extended family around the Country. Nothing mattered more to Connie than her loved ones.

Connie and her brothers’ Dad was in the Air Force for 30 years; and they grew up on and around bases in the continental U.S. and in Alaska. They lived in Fairbanks when Alaska became a state in 1959. Their experiences as a military family were a big part of their life.

In the third grade, Connie knew her calling was to be a librarian, a dream she passionately pursued. In 1964 she graduated from Derby High School in Kansas. She worked during her college years at the Lariat Lounge and in the mid-70s as one of a few women big-rig drivers for Iowa Beef. Her CB handle was Gypsie Rose. Graduating from Emporia Kansas State College in 1978 with a Master’s of Library Science, she embarked on a successful career that took her from General Foods in Tarrytown, NY, to Chevron Research in Richmond, CA, and ultimately to the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library system as the Automation Services Manager, where she retired in 2010. Known for her organization skills and all things alphabetized, she often proudly proclaimed “I am a librarian after all!”.

On a job application, Connie listed some of her strengths as “optimistic, able to inspire and encourage others to give their best, creative, caring, fair, thrives on change…”. She was a great listener. She loved to celebrate any occasion big or small! Her New Year’s Eve parties were epic. She delighted in giving birthday parties for others, Chiefs’ game parties and all holidays, especially Halloween and Christmas. She had four fully-decorated trees in her home year-round. She converted the largest room in her home to a dining room so she could comfortably seat all her dinner guests. She had a zest for life and a heart full of love for her family and friends.

Connie’s hobbies reflected her vibrant spirit and creative soul. She was passionate about science fiction and collected over 1100 sci-fi books, some of them signed by the authors; the Almost Angels Keepsake Ornament Collectors Club and everything crafting, making numerous cards and crafting projects to express her artistic side and her love for the giftee.

Beyond her professional achievements and passions, Connie enjoyed attending events to help people and she gave generously to support them, including Harvesters - The Community Food Network, Heartland Men’s Chorus, Good Samaritan Project, ACLU, UNICEF, and Planned Parenthood. She enjoyed New Theatre, Kansas City Ballet, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and she enjoyed traveling. She was known by her friends as a PC Tech Support guru.

Daphne said Connie “was our rock” and “she always said everything will work out and it will be okay!” Amber said “even during her” many illnesses over the last several years, she was “my guiding light”, was “positive, nurturing and taught us to laugh and love unconditionally”. Holly said she “always had the glass half full mentality” and “looked at each day as a blessing and was grateful”. Patrick said Connie had “a purposeful life well lived”.

The family would like to sincerely thank Connie’s caregivers, Nancy, Mark, Paul, Nikki, Kathy, Dorothy, Lyrik, niece Holly, Visiting Angels, Phoenix Home Care and Hospice and DaVita Johnson County Dialysis for the care and compassion they showed Connie and our family.

There will be a Celebration of Connie’s Life on March 1, 2025 at 2 PM at Kansas City United Church of Christ located at 205 W 65 St, Kansas City, MO 64113. Her ashes will be buried at the family plot at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas in the spring. In Connie’s memory, please consider donating to an organization that helps people like Connie did.

Ode to Connie: Keeper of Dreams

In whispered halls of wood and light,

Where stories dance, and worlds take flight,

There stands a heart, so fiercely bright,

Connie, the dreamer, the soul's delight.

From early morn to twilight's gleam,

She sought a realm where biblios teem,

With paper swirls and ink's sweet stream,

A haven crafted from her dream.

Her laughter spilled like sunlit glow,

In rooms adorned with warmth to show,

Each gathering, a vibrant flow,

Of love infused in tales we know.

New Year’s Eve, a sparkling night,

Where joy ignites like stars in flight,

With every cheer, each heartfelt plight,

She forged a bond—our guiding light.

Her passions twirled in science's embrace,

While ballet’s grace found her place,

A craftsman's hands, a creator's space,

Life's tapestry woven with vibrant lace.

Through every act, her spirit soared,

With Harvesters' kindness, hearts she stored,

For music’s beauty, her voice adored,

In arts and culture, her love outpoured.

Connie, the patron of wondrous dreams,

Guardian of stories, with spark and gleam,

In the library's warmth, she softly beams,

A soul beloved, our sweet seamstress of themes.

So here's to you, dear friend so true,

In every chapter, we celebrate you.

With gratitude for all that you do,

We raise our hearts—forever anew.