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Eleanor Harriet Riley (1851–1922)

from Sydney Morning Herald

By the death of Mrs. A. J. [Eleanor Harriet] Riley Sydney has lost one more of that generation of public-spirited women who set the standard for charitable work in this city, and her contemporaries will mourn the loss of her sweet, strong personality. All who ever worked with her on committees will remember her sane judgment, her breadth of view and her unfailing sympathy for those in need, while many, many more who knew her privately will cherish memories of her quick understanding and ready help for all who were sad or suffering. Mother of a large devoted family her heart was big enough to take in many outside the family circle, and people of all ages were proud to call her friend.

The older generation knew Mrs. Riley first in 1887, when as Mayoress of Sydney she was a charming hostess at the many jubilee year entertainments, and a bust of her executed at that time still stands in the Lady Mayoress' room at the Town Hall, perpetuating her youthful charm. It was during that year that she convened the first meeting of the Queen's Jubilee Fund, and with Lady Carrington helped greatly in establishing the fund so successfully. Mrs. Riley was an original member of the council of the Queen's Jubilee Fund, and remained on it an active member until last year, when she resigned on account of ill-health. She was associated with the Girls' Friendly Society from its inception also, and for her practical interest in the Queen Victoria Home for Consumptives she was made a life member of the committee. For many years she was a member of the National Council of Women as a delegate from the Queen's Jubilee Fund, and in more recent times she took a deep interest in St. Luke's Hospital, and was hon. treasurer for the Burwood centre. With all her public service Mrs. Riley was a true home-maker, and her family gained rather than lost by her outside interests. Ten children survive her, including her two youngest twin sons, who served in the war.

Original publication

Other Obituaries for Eleanor Harriet Riley

Citation details

'Riley, Eleanor Harriet (1851–1922)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/riley-eleanor-harriet-17874/text29459, accessed 29 March 2024.

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