In loving memory of

Harriet Ann Riley
August 16, 2012

Shorewood Hills: Harriet Ann Riley, age 74, passed away peacefully at her home on August 16, 2012, with her family by her side.

Harriet loved growing up in Wisconsin's north woods, near Lake Superior. She graduated from Ashland High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Harriet's passion for nature shaped the way she looked at the world and lived in it. She was an enthusiastic teacher of English as a Second Language in the Madison School System. She taught middle-school students from around the world to speak English. Equally important to Harriet, she shared with them her love of nature and her concern for protecting the environment.

She was the beloved daughter of Percy and Amy Linnander Sollie, who preceded her in death. Shawn Emmett Riley, her husband and the love of her life, also preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children, Erin (John Crowley), Anchor Bay, Calif.; Patrick, Driggs, Idaho; Brian (Ann), Minneapolis, Minn.; and Shawn (Shannon), Kalispell, Mont.; her grandson Sean and his mother Jacklyn Riley, Driggs, Idaho; her granddaughter Sierra, Kalispell, Mont.; and her sisters-in-law Patricia Koval, Roberta Berthiaume, Mary Hill, and Elinor Riley.

A celebration of Harriet's life will be held at the VILAS PARK SHELTER on Saturday, October 13, 2012, from 4:00-7:00p.m. The shelter is located on Vilas Park Drive on the north shore of Lake Wingra, near the Henry Vilas Zoo.

In lieu of flowers, Harriet requests donations to her favorite environmental groups:
- Natural Heritage Land Trust, 303 S Paterson St, Ste #6, Madison, WI 53703
- Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, PO Box 55056, Madison, WI 53705

The family gratefully acknowledges support from Angie Seals and Rebecca Parkes of Agrace Hospice and the Agrace CNA team.

Tributes

Sierra Riley wrote on Aug 14, 2019:

"I was about ten when my Gram passed. Every night since, I've fallen asleep holding my fondest souvenir of her- a teddy bear named Yule-Bear that I'd wished from Santa for her when I heard she was sick. Now years later, I'm sitting up at night worried about this that or the other, and as I feel Yule-Bear in my arms the first face my mind turns to for comfort is Gram's. Growing up she was always my biggest role model, so this is not an unfamiliar scene; I often think to her and the lessons she taught me for solace and wisdom. Her love of life and of the world, of those she's loved for her whole life and of old friends she's just met alike, shaped my world view more than anything. She taught me how to look for the wonder and joy in the little things. She taught me to never give up on people you care for or the people who just need a little more care to make it through. She taught me that spirit, passion, and positivity are all you really needs to have a fantastic life. Like the motto on her Life Is Good shirts I always picture her wearing, she taught me to "Do what you love, and love what you do". I am so grateful to have grown up knowing a person like her and I will forever strive to honor these things she taught me by repeating them and exemplifying them to anyone who needs it, as I know she would. I don't always believe in heaven or an afterlife or angels, but in this moment as I hold tight to Yule-Bear and feel all her love and care comfort me from my worries as strongly and wholly as if she was right here with me, I can't help but feel she's thinking of me right now as I am thinking of her. Tonight, in the wake of this familiar scene, I decide to take Yule-Bear over to the computer and search up Gram online, something I couldn't do when I was ten. After all these years I find this website with these beautiful tributes telling how her life touched so many other persons', and I can't begin to describe how moving it is to read. I suppose I'm a bit late, but I'm happy to finally have an opportunity to say: Thank you, Gram, I love you. Love, Sierra Riley "

Tara Gallagher wrote on Sep 14, 2012:

"Dear sweet family of Harriet, I know how much she loved you all, she would pass along happy news of all of you in her annual Christmas letter. I had the great blessing to have had Harriet on three Backcountry Bike Tours trips, as her tour leader. I got to visit her at her lovely house in Madison a couple of times. She always had such a wonderful, adventurous game and positive spirit toward everything. She was a great role model in how to live the life you truly want to live. I always admired her so much and enjoyed her company a ton. Her yearly letters meant so much to me - I'm just so sorry I never got the chance to write back to this last one, the one that told of her terminal health status. I was in nursing school and so completely swamped that I just never got that card out to her. Hopefully, she's out there now and knows how much I care about her, and understands. I wish you all comfort and being present as the waves of grief and laughter, tears and smiles wash over you. She was the best of the best. What an honor to have her as your family! Lots of Love to you all, Tara Gallagher, Bozeman, MT"

Barbara Sandholm wrote on Aug 20, 2012:

"Dear All Loved Ones of Harriet, Harriet was a special and wonderful friend to me and so many others. I first met her and her husband to be when I was a freshman at the U. of W. I had roomed with her for two months when she came back to our room to tell me that she and Shawn eloped and were married. I kiddingly told her that there was probably an easier way to get rid of me as a room mate! About one year later, I was living in the nurses dorm when Shawn came running to get me because Harriet was in labor and about to give birth to Erin. I was there for the birth and did some babysitting for her also. Every year by letter and telephone calls we kept up with each others families and lives. I will miss her deeply. To Harriet's kids - you had wonderful parents who loved each other very much and set good examples for you and your families. When I talked with your Mom 6 months ago, she told me she had a dream an d Shawn was in it telling her that he had a room all ready for her and I have no doubt that they have been reunited. My deepest sympathy to all of you. I am proud to say that she was my friend! Fondly, Barbara . "

Kathy (Gingles) Hamblin wrote on Aug 19, 2012:

"Dear Family of Harriet, My deepest sympathy goes out to each one of you in the loss of your Mother and Grandmother. Harriet and I were best friends (to the point we called each other 'sisters') all through Jr. High and High School in Ashland. We shared many laughs and sorrows in our lives and my prayers have been with her since she wrote me at Christmas and said she was very ill. I so wanted to call her but I honored her wishes not to, so we wrote letters instead. I feel like I have lost my sister and one of my best friends. We didn't see each other often but each time we spoke it was like we were back in the "good old days" sharing our fun times together. My prayers go out to you in this sad time. She left a loving legacy in her children, whom she loved so much and spoke often of and sent many pictures), along with the wonderful things she did for God's world. God be with you and my 'sister'. Sincerely, Kathy Hamblin"