Margie Riley passed away at the age of 94. Born in Bellflower, CA on March 9, 1928 to loving parents Frank and Katharine Garland. Margie was raised in the Assembly of God church where her love of music began. She played a beautiful accordion, organ, and piano performing in Southern California at conventions and various venues, and later at KTRB radio station and on The Children’s Hour in Modesto, CA in the 1950s.

In the late 1940s she started a grocery career at a market in Indio, CA where she made lifelong friendships. While working at the meat counter she met a Sheriff Deputy named Sam Riley. She soon married Sam Riley and had a daughter Jacqueline (AKA) Sweet Pea. Then moved to Oakdale, CA where her husband Sam Riley took a police officer job and her son Michael Lon Riley (AKA) Buster was born. Together they enjoyed a beautiful home and many BBQs, birthdays, and family vacations. Along with entertaining family, friends, and neighbors. Margie continued working in the grocery business at Food Bank in Oakdale CA, Sav-Mor in Modesto, CA and D’Accardo’s in Riverbank, CA. Sam Riley died in a car accident in August 1966 and she retired for a time. She returned to work at Sav-Mor, and the H&O Market in Oakdale, CA. Margie enjoyed countless fun bus trips to many destinations. She was full of energy and was known for her humor and spontaneity. She was always smiling. She was always doing random acts of kindness. She will be missed so much. She was living with her daughter Jacque and her late son-in-law Michael Cantwell for the last 18 years. We were blessed to have Margie for our mother.

Margie is survived by her daughter Jacque Riley Cantwell and son Michael Lon Riley (Gayle), grandchildren Michael Shawn Cantwell, Amy Riley McAndrews (Gary), Katie Riley Healy (Eric), Christie Riley Rinner (Joe) and the late Rodney Riley and 13 great grandchildren. Graveside service at Oaklawn Cemetery Oakdale, CA July 18, 2022 at 10 a.m. Remembrances can be made to Salvation Army of Modesto 320 9th Street Modesto, CA 95351 or Astro (Animal Shelter to Riverbank and Oakdale) Foundation, P.O. Box 457, Oakdale, CA 95361.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

The Riverbank (Calif.) News