NEW BEDFORD — Lydia C. (Carrera) Riley, 93, of New Bedford, died on Friday, October 26, 2012, at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home. She was the loving wife of the late Dr. Norman F. Riley.
Born in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Secundo and Margaret Carrera. She was a 1936 graduate of New Bedford High School and a lifelong resident of New Bedford. She spent her summer days at Sconticut Neck in Fairhaven.
In December 1944 on her first trip west of New York City, she traveled by train to Tonepah, Nevada, where she married her husband. He was stationed there, with the Army Air Corps, prior to his deployment to Pacific. Upon his return at the end of World War II, they established his optometry practice in New Bedford. In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, she worked, later in life, with her husband, as office manager, until his retirement in 1989. Former patients may remember her cheerful presence in the office.
She is survived by her daughters, Janice Riley Freddo and her husband Thomas, of Waterloo, Ontario and Anne Riley and her husband, Daniel Lam, of Dearborn, Michigan; her grandchildren, Catherine Freddo and Margaret Lam; her bother-in-law and his wife, Dr. and Mrs. H. F. Riley, also of New Bedford; and her nieces and nephews.
She was pre-deceased by her beloved daughter, Cynthia, and by her dear grandson Matthew Freddo. She was sister of the late Lena Gobell, Jennie Brun, and Richard Carrera.
Visitation will be in the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford, on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, from 2-4 P.M. Her service will be at the funeral home on Wednesday at 10:00 A.M. followed by burial in Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in her memory, to The Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472