Sarah A. Riley

Sarah A. Riley, 81, passed away July 2, 2022.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Sarah had lived in Tallmadge since 1975. She was a member of Our Lady of Victory Church. Sarah enjoyed painting ceramics, bowling, doll collecting, helping with church dinners but most of all spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Amy Berardo and Mary Lou Paulich and bother, Stanley Hosking.

Sarah is survived by her husband, Thomas; sons, Thomas B. (Christine Sundin) Riley IV of Washington and James W. (Nicki Zeppernick) Riley of Tallmadge; grandchildren, Taylor and Nicole; great grandchildren, Kinsley; brothers, Fred Hosking and John W. Hosking.

Visitation will be 4 until 7 p.m. Friday, July 8, 2022 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle).

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday July 9, 2022 at Our Lady of Victory Church, 73 North Ave., Tallmadge.

Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.

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They were neighbors on Stambaugh St. in Girard Ohio. Didn't know it!  1940 the Hosking family had four kids the Watts family had half a dozen. The June arrival @ Watt's was son of eldest daughter Eileen , Tommy, due August but came early. Sarah due in August and remained on time, last time in her life she'd do so. They spent a little time in St Elizabeth Youngstown hospital, Tom a couple months, Sarah a couple days but no meeting yet.

Twenty years later during which they attended separate high schools, though never crossed paths. But wait?  He saw her at his friend's wedding. Only took one look, his idea not hers. He knew it had to be; she didn't concur; their God intervened.

Lots to talk about in between. They decided it would work, got married on his birthday in '65, had two days to get it done then had to be in NYC.

Two much loved; adopted two boys late; a dozen years on the road but based in LA, came home to Ohio for their remainder lives together.

She loved her Oakland Raiders!  A friend, the massive George Buehler, Right Guard for Kenny Stabler, treated her to many games then continued the tradition when he was traded to the Cleveland Browns. She rewarded him with one of her famous meatloaf dinners. He was a gentleman.

George retired; knees gave up to much pulling left working with Schell & Upshaw.

She was a dancer!

One year I gave her Arthur Murray lessons for Christmas so I could try & catch up. Never did but laughed about winning our division's contest tux & all, only ones in our division.

During sailplane adventures at Schweitzer in Elmira NY, she bested me by a couple thousand feet, she & her pilot found a thunderstorm.

Straight talked you never missed her point

Wouldn't tolerate a liar. A friend of renown, had your back, never a doubt. She'd take me to task but you'd better not.

She, her Taylor & her Nicole were master shoppers; ran out & bought a. Chevy Traverse -holds lots of bags. She gave it to Taylor when her driving skills diminished

Sponsored her babies for Medical Assisting School so they'd carry on when she couldn't. Loved those girls so.

Wasn't particularly impressed when husband invited her along on a night flight over the City by the Bay but rather enjoyed dinner post flight at favored Oakland Italian restaurant.

*Loved the trips overseas, particularly Wales where her Dad was born. Always carried along an extra conveyance for Christmas gifts, everyone, friends, family & neighbors got a taste of Herrods, or alternative European cities under their trees.

Generosity abounded; local parishes, Dominicans, Claritians, St Jude , animal rescues, school scholarships , Maurin Center (homeless). Knew her life was God's gift to shared

Her boys felt her "mother's love" it knew no limit; her Tommy/Jimmy loved & respected Sarah. She commanded respect, otherwise you could move along.

She had "buds", participed in a dozen weddings. Her daughters-in-law earned familia status, more great girls for our family