Mary Lou Riley, 87

Mary Lou Riley passed away peacefully in her sleep Sept. 18, 2022, after a lengthy battle with diabetes. She was 87 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene “Bud” Riley, her parents, Frank and Edith Ferraro, as well as her grandparents, Jack and Lilian Smith.

Mary Lou was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, on April 22, 1935. Her parents were Frank and Edith Ferraro. Mary Lou attended Sandpoint Elementary School and graduated from Sandpoint High School, Class of 1953. In her senior year of high school, Mary Lou was an all-state bass drummer, as well as being in the high school marching band. On April 16, 1955, Mary Lou married her husband, Eugene “Bud” Riley.

In 1960, the couple moved to Eureka, Calif., where they raised their three children. Mary Lou worked as the bookkeeper for Industrial Electric Inc. for 34 years. Mary Lou joined Elks Lodge 652 in 1999. In 2002, Mary Lou became the first female exalted ruler of the Eureka Lodge. When her term ended in 2003, she went on to be the lodge secretary for 12 years before she finally retired.

In 2015, Mary Lou returned to North Idaho to live in Coeur d’Alene. In 2015, Mary Lou joined the Cd'A Elks Lodge. From 2016 to 2019, she served as the lodge secretary until she finally retired.

Mary Lou is survived by her sister, Loretta Wilson, and her brother, Frank Ferraro Jr. Mary Lou had three children, Shawn, Mark and Tammy. Mary Lou had five grandchildren, as well as seven great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

The family will hold a private service.