Janet Ayers Riley

Janet Ayers Riley, 80, of Coatesville, PA, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 8, 2024, at her residence in Freedom Village at Brandywine. Born on December 24, 1943, in Havre de Grace, MD, she was the daughter of the late F. Ellis and Mildred Emma Crossan Ayers.  Janet shared 53 years of marriage with William (Bill) Rodger Riley, whom she dearly missed after his death in 2019.

Janet spent her childhood and early adulthood on the family's dairy farm.  After graduating from Rising Sun High School in 1961, she earned a secretarial certificate from the Goldey Beacom Business School and then worked at the Bainbridge Naval Training Center in Port Deposit, MD, where she met Bill.  The couple wed in November 1965, relocated to Charleston, SC, and eventually moved to Chester County, PA, where Janet became a homemaker and resided for 57 years.

Over the years, Janet stayed in contact with high school friends and appreciated catching up with classmates for lunch and during class reunions.  Throughout her life, she enjoyed spending time at home, visiting her family's farm, and sharing meals with close friends.

A long-time member of Brandywine Hospital’s After Breast Cancer (ABC) support group, Janet always looked forward to celebrating with fellow survivors at its annual dinners.

The family gives special thanks to the faithful staff at Freedom Village and the dedicated team at Caring Hospice for their friendship, compassion, and care.

Janet is survived by two children, Ann Balthis (Mike) of Delaware and Michael Riley (Karen) of Colorado; two siblings, sister Carole Taylor and brother Paul Ayers (Kathy), both of Maryland, and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at the Wilde Funeral Home, 434 Main Street, Parkesburg, PA, on Friday, May 17th, 2024, at 10:00 AM followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association to accelerate research to end this debilitating disease. To make a donation please click HERE.

Online condolences may be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com