Ruth Fosket Riley

Ruth Fosket Riley, 100, died September 6, 2022 at Harbor Chase Assisted Living Facility in Tallahassee, Florida. Ruth was born March 4, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, but resided in Palatine, Illinois. She attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where she met Frank Riley. They were married August 29, 1942, in the Methodist Church on the DePauw campus. World War ll interrupted her education, but upon her husband’s return from the war, they returned to DePauw and graduated in 1947. Ruth and Frank lived in Cleveland, Ohio and Orlando, Florida before moving to Tallahassee in 1952, where their two sons were born. She and Frank were Charter Members of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, where she served in the Women’s Society, as a Sunday school teacher, and helped with many church functions, including Young People’s Meetings, breakfast and luncheons. She was very active in her sons’ Cub Scout programs and school parties and trips. In 1968, she started her 23-year career as a reference librarian at the Leon County Public Library, retiring 12-31-1990. She enjoyed traveling. Trips included a Caribbean Cruise, Alaska, Grand Canyon, the New England states and Canada. Survivors include sons, Charles (wife Susan) of Tallahassee and Robert (wife Susan) of Casselberry, Florida, 3 grandsons Michael Riley of Tallahassee; J. Chris Babski (and wife Elizabeth) of Tallahassee and Chip Tatum (wife Debbie and great-granddaughter Hannah of Oviedo, Florida); and one sister, Marion Clapp of Rockford, Illinois, and several nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Frank Riley, and her parents, Dr. Robert R. Fosket and Elsie Gainer Fosket. Dr. Fosket was a dental professor at Northwestern University in Chicago. A memorial service will be held September 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Bevis Funeral Home Chapel, 200 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, Florida. The family will receive friends after the service. The family would like to thank the staff at Harbor Chase and Big Bend Hospice for their loving care towards our mother. Memorial contributions may be made to Shine Inc., P.O. Box 12669, Tallahassee, Florida 32317 or Big Bend Hospice, Inc. 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. Todd Wahlquist with Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Riley family with their arrangements.

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Ruth Fosket Riley

March 4, 1922 - September 6, 2022