Grafton – On Sunday, March 26, 2023, Carol Ann (Nyren) Riley died peacefully, surrounded by her family. Born on March 3, 1948, she grew up in Natick, Massachusetts, and spent most of her summers in Maine.
She graduated from Natick High and became an orthodontic assistant- a job that combined her love of children and smiles. She married the love of her life Brian F. Riley of Cambridge, Massachusetts. They were married for 52 wonderful years. Their two daughters, Heather and Kate, were raised in a home full of love, fun, and adventure.
Brian and Carol built their first home in Grafton, Massachusetts and remained there for 49 years and counting. Continuing her childhood tradition of summers in Maine, the couple bought a house on Frye Island, becoming beloved members of that community.
She is known by the children on the Island for golf cart rides, catching frogs, raising Monarch butterflies, and a steady stream of treats. Carol was very connected to nature and was always tuned in to sunsets, moon phases, the birds, and her gardens. She loved her walks, her bike rides, tennis, boating, and kayaking. Brian and Carol traveled as often as they could, enjoying trips to beautiful places like Croatia, Italy, Costa Rica, and Greece.
Most of all, Carol loved fun. She was always up for adventure, and she loved nothing more than playing with her grandchildren. She turned everything into a game or a little competition, and the children in her life delighted in her fun-filled presence and her abundant candy jar. She was the first (and often last remaining) on the dance floor, as she absolutely loved music. She was a wonderful wife, incredible mother, and a loyal friend to many, many people.
Carol leaves behind her loving and devoted husband of 52 years, Brian F. Riley, her daughter Heather Riley and husband Todd Charbonneau, her daughter Katharine Riley and husband Bryan Rotundo, and five grandchildren: Liv Charbonneau, Leif Charbonneau, Jude Charbonneau, Toby Rotundo, and Miles Rotundo.
She also leaves behind her sisters Maryann Nyren, Diane Nyren, and Patricia Nyren and two brothers George Nyren and Robert Nyren. She was predeceased by her parents George and Rita Nyren, and her sisters Janet Pettit and Joan Nyren. Carol also had many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, and friends that meant the world to her.
All are welcome to gather with Carol’s friends and family on Wednesday, March 29th from 4-7 p.m. at Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester Street, North Grafton MA 01536. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 30th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s Church, 70 W Main Street, Westborough MA 01581.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Mustard Seed in Worcester.
