In Memoriam: Mary Elizabeth (Bibbie) Riley

In Memoriam: Mary Elizabeth (Bibbie) Riley
Bibbie and Clayton Riley

May 14, 1936 – January 28, 2020

Anyone who met Mary “Bibbie” Riley, who passed away Jan. 28 at the age of 83, most likely knew about her sweet spirit but perhaps not her competitive nature.

A native of Coral Gables, Fla., Riley graduated from St, Theresa Catholic School, where she excelled in many sports. Continuing her education at the University of Florida, she was a member of Chi Omega and a Sigma Nu sweetheart, and met her first husband, Dorrell Ingram.

After marrying Ingram and moving to Jacksonville, she continued her athletic endeavors. She played tennis on the A-teams at Timuquana and San Jose Country Clubs for many years, then she took up golf. All the while she also volunteered for the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army, Laurel Garden Club, the American Heart Association, as she simultaneously raised five children and served as an active member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church.

In 1978, Ingram passed away from cancer leaving her a widow with five children. It’s been said of Bibbie that her biggest attribute was her devotion to the Lord. She attended Mass almost every day and from that she drew strength. Four years later, she was blessed to meet and marry Clayton Riley, a man whose first wife had passed away from cancer. Together, their family became a Brady Bunch mix of her five and his six children!

Jim Riley remarked that after his mother had died, his father started dating and would bring the ladies home to meet him. As the youngest of the Riley brood, Jim was a senior in high school when Clayton brought Bibbie home with him from a tennis date to see if she passed Jim’s “veto” power.

“From the first day, I knew there was something special about Bibbie,” Jim said. “I went off to college, and they got hitched! Bibbie was the glue that brought this big family together. She loved her family. Loved to brag about her kids and grands,” he said noting that it didn’t matter what accomplishment you might mention in a typical conversation with Bibbie, she always had to do a little one-upmanship with a story about one of her children or grandchildren.

 She was everyone’s biggest fan, said her grandson, Jack McCormack. “Whether she was sitting on the couch talking about sports or cooking great food at Thanksgiving, she always gave love and put everyone before her. She showed us how to be a good person. She always said, ‘if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.’ Her compassion and love shaped her as a person. She used to come read to my kindergarten class, and she was so proud of me and I was so proud to have her there in my classroom.”

Bibbie and her second husband shared 37 years together. Fortunately, with 11 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren, they loved big gatherings like their “epic” Super Bowl parties, Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. However, Bibbie had a quiet, reflective side as well. She loved to work in the yard. She had a calm, quiet spiritual nature, which was evident in her devotion to her church and the many ministries of which she was a part. She was gracious. Welcoming. It was said that there were reflections of God in Bibbie Riley.

During the recent celebration of her life, where lilting voices lifted her up by singing the verse, “on Eagle’s wings so God could hold her in the palm of his hand,” the minister stated that the best way to thank God who gave us life was to live that life fully. “Bibbie Riley said, “Thank you, God, in capital letters,” he emphasized, referring to the exemplary life she had led.

Bibbie is survived by her husband, Clayton; two sons, David Ingram (Terry) and Andy Ingram (Tracy); two daughters, Laurie Stottlemyer (Joe) and Susan McCormack (Vincent), as well as Clayton’s four sons, Ford Riley (Elizabeth), Scott Riley (Missy), Paul Riley (Kelly), Jim Riley (Dana), and two daughters Martha Love Rotella (Jay) and Jenifer Skinner (Chip). Also surviving are her sisters Louise Bennett and Ann Taylor and brother, Jimmy FitzGibbon (Sharon). Bibbie also leaves behind many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband, Dorrell Ingram and her daughter, Jennifer Ingram, as well as her brothers, Tommy and Mike FitzGibbon and her sister, Jane Lennon.

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