Sylvia Riley

Farmington — Sylvia “Anne” Riley, 91 years old, of Farmington, formerly of Uncasville, passed away March 13, 2024. She was the widow of Lawrence Edmund Riley. Anne was born Sept. 6, 1932, in Newbury, England, the daughter of Stanley and Charlotte (Lock) Burton.

Anne first came to the United States in 1957, on the RMS Queen Elizabeth, alone at the age of 25, with the intention of becoming engaged to an American serviceman who had been stationed in England. At her mother’s insistence, she was sponsored by a family friend, Violet O’Brien, to ensure she would be safe. The engagement to the serviceman never came to pass as Anne soon fell in love with Violet’s nephew, Lawrence Riley, and the rest is history.

Anne raised her three children in Kinnelon, N.J., while also holding various part-time jobs, given her strong work ethic. In 1980, Anne and Larry moved to Connecticut, and became the proprietors of the Quaker Hill Package Store in Waterford. Anne and Larry greeted their customers with a big smile and always asked about their well being. They were an integral part of the community.

Besides the great love of her family and her deep adoration for her children and grandchildren, Anne’s greatest passion was her gardens. She was an avid gardener and took great pride in them, spending countless hours planting, watering, weeding and trimming. Her gardens were the envy of all. She was loved and admired by countless nieces and nephews and cousins and friends, here and abroad, who will all miss her guidance, love and support. Proud of her English heritage, Anne was a longstanding member of the Daughters of the British Empire.

Anne “Nana” is survived by her children, Susan Riley Chudwick (Bruce) of Farmington, Michael John Riley (Martha) of Bedford Hills, N.Y., and Patricia Riley of Oakdale; her beloved grandchildren: Collin Chudwick, Jillian Ryan (Tony), Emma Chudwick, Luke, Alexandra and Elizabeth Riley, and Nina and Hannah Balsley. In addition to her husband, Anne was predeceased by her sister Wendy Hendrix Kret; and her twin brothers, Peter and John Burton.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday,

March 24, at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 181 Ocean

Ave., New London. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 25, at St. Patrick Cathedral, 213 Broadway, Norwich. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Norwich. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.farmingtonseniors.org in her memory.