Geraldine I. Riley

Geraldine I. Riley, 93, of Kalamazoo, was born October 18, 1930 in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the union of Ulysses and Ruby Mae Riley.

Geraldine’s formal education began in the Cincinnati Public School system prior to moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she furthered her education, graduating from Lincoln High School.  She then enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy.  Geraldine moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan to attend Western Michigan University where she earned her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. She taught at Western Michigan University until she retired.

Geraldine accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age, and chose Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church to serve her Lord and Savior as an active, devoted member, serving in a variety of ministries.

In her leisure, she enjoyed tennis, and served as a member of the Dulcet Tennis Club. At K-College she volunteered as a yearly host to the USTA Men’s Tennis Group. She kept her tennis skills up by playing at West Hills Athletic Club.  Geraldine was an avid traveler going from coast to coast. She particularly loved traveling yearly to the US Opens. 

Geraldine was an active member of the community. For many years she was a member of the LINKS organization and was a fund raiser for a variety of charities and causes while being a part of the organization. For a short period of time, she volunteered as a docent at the Kalamazoo Museum of the Arts.

Geraldine departed this life on July 31, 2024, after a brief illness.  She was preceded in death by her father, Ulysses Riley; her mother, Ruby Mae Cook; her sister, Audrey Davis; her brother, Michael Inge; and her son Paul Richardson.

Geraldine will be greatly missed by family and friends.  She is survived by three grandchildren, Paul Richardson Jr., Aaliyah Spivey and Aamani Spivey; great granddaughter Nayomi, and a host of nieces and nephews most of whom live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Geraldine was an intelligent caring and open-hearted woman who saw the good in everyone she encountered. She gave herself selflessly to others in their time of need. We love her and will miss her, but she will forever live in our hearts.

The family is especially thankful the Laurels of Galesburg – for their compassionate and diligent care of our dear Geraldine over the years, spending quality time with her and making her feel loved.  They are greatly appreciated for their service.

The family prefers Geraldine be remembered by planting a tree which are available through the funeral home website.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or message online: wagnercares.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geraldine I. Riley, please visit our floral store.