Vera Riley, age 103, of Kingsley and Traverse City, passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions.

Vera was born May 7, 1917, in the family farm house East of Kingsley, the daughter of the late Earl Roy and the late Mildred May (Smith) Newmarch.

Vera attended the Hodge School until she finished the eighth grade.  She attended and played basketball for Kingsley High School, graduating in 1936.

On August 4, 1937, she married Harold C. Riley, her high school sweetheart, which ended with his death on May 30, 1998, after nearly 61 years of happy married life.

They both worked at the Traverse City State Hospital, retiring on January 25, 1973.  At the time she retired, she was an afternoon ward supervisor and a licensed psychiatric attendant nurse.

She was among the first members of the North Paradise Flowers Club and the Kingsley Retirees and belonged to the State Employees Association.  She enjoyed flowers, gardening, plastic sheeting (which she was very artistic at), crocheting, and embroidery.

Vera believed in living a Christian life.

Vera is survived by: brothers, Jay (Pauline) Newmarch of Sparta, Michigan; sisters, Irene Stremlow, Helen Fritz, and Leona Nye, all of Kingsley; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

She was preceded in death by: her husband; parents; sisters, Lena May Themm and Doris Marie Stein; sisters-in-law Mary Newmarch and Anna Newmarch; brothers, Kenneth Leroy (in infancy), Floyd and Harold Leroy Newmarch; and brothers-in-law, Edward Fritz, David Stremlow, Edward Themm and Willard Stein.

The family wishes to thank the Commission on Aging and Meals on Wheels for helping to keep Vera in her home as long as possible and the kindness shown to her.  Also, thank you to all those who had anything to do with Vera's care at the Grand Traverse Pavilions.

A special thank you to Rachel Jackman for her loving help and friendship over the years and doing things to help Vera make life enjoyable without having to ask.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel, with Pastor Michael Brayton officiating.  Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, in Kingsley, where Vera will be laid to rest beside her husband.  Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM until time of services at the funeral home.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com