On October 4, 2016, Dawn Riley passed from this life.  She departed much as she lived – peacefully and with quiet grace – surrounded by the love of her family.

Dawn was born on September 16, 1921, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. A gifted student and musician, she attended River Falls State Teachers College in River Falls, Wisconsin, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree and teaching qualification in English, and served as Concert mistress for the orchestra. There she met her husband, Robert J. (Bob) Riley. They married at the end of WWII in July of 1945, and enjoyed nearly 50 years together until Bob's death in December of 1994. Dawn is survived by her six grateful children who will miss her very much: Eileen Parker (Louis) of Aurora, Illinois; John Patrick (Lynn) of St Paul, Minnesota; Mary Gunderson (Peter) of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; Sara Tinetti (David) of Falcon Heights, Minnesota; Thomas (Rachel Daack) of Dubuque, Iowa; and Colleen Riley (Donovan Palmquist) of Farmington, Minnesota. Dawn never missed a chance to brag about her 11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. They were especially close to her heart, as she is to theirs.

Dawn was preceded in death by her husband Robert, mother Marian Wheeler, father Chester Wheeler, and brother Dale. She is survived by her dear sister Caryll Tibbetts, of Leavenworth, Washington.

For the last eight years of her life, Dawn was blessed with the love and companionship of Martin Hardy whom she married on November 22, 2008. Martin and Dawn spent many happy days and made treasured memories driving across country to visit their shared families. She cherished and was cherished by Martin's children Tom, Olive, Candyce, Bonnie and Duane as a part of the Hardy family.

Dawn's radiant smile and gracious personality endeared her to all who were fortunate to know her. She quietly reached out to those who were in need of friendship or stability. Her Christian faith was a constant presence in her life, and she made many dear and lasting friendships through her involvement in Christian Women's Club, Teams of Our Lady, and other faith organizations.

In addition to her family and friends, Dawn's legacy lives in music. She served as the organist at St. John's Catholic Church for over 40 years, playing for weekly Mass and for countless weddings and funerals. She was a member of Keyboard Club, Performance Club and Rochester Civic Music Guild, among others. And most importantly, she instilled the joy of music to hundreds of piano students in her fifty-year teaching career.

Dawn's kindness, generosity, and love of music live on in generations of students and in the many people whose lives she touched.

The memorial Mass will be at 10:30am Monday, October 10, 2016 at The Church of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester with Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon officiating.  A visitation will be held from 2:00pm to 6:00pm with a time of sharing memories at 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon at the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home.  A second visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. The burial of Dawn's ashes will be at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to The Church of St. John the Evangelist – Rochester, MN.