Cecelia Christine Riley (Cece), 71, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 17, with her husband Russell, lovingly by her side.  She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Mother's Day in May 2019 and fought it with courage and grace until the very end.

Cecelia was born on January 9, 1950, in Springfield, MO to Eliza Jane and Ralph Dewey Ege. She was the youngest of seven children, and grew up on Kansas Avenue where she lived, at different times, throughout her life. She graduated from Central High School in 1968. Her daughter, Andreana, was born in 1971 and her son, Anthony in 1976. She worked as a medical transcriptionist for over 40 years at different institutions in the Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri area.  Most recently, she worked for 17 years at Mercy Clinic Cancer and Hematology—Chub O'Reilly Cancer Center, leaving there in December 2020.

In 1985, she met Irving Russell Riley, who she married four years later in 1989. They were married for 32 years and he was caring for her at the time of her death.

Cece was a deep lover of music, holding a special place for her favorite artist: Willie Nelson. She had a deep, contagious laugh, a big heart of love for everyone she met and a large community of friends, near and far. Her longest and deepest friendships dated back 40 years or more. She was a loving friend, daughter, sister, grandmother, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, wife, and mother. She was loved by many. Truly, deeply, loved.

She is survived by her husband, Russell Riley; her daughter Andreana Clay (Joan Benoit); her son Anthony Mathews (Christina); her stepchildren Michael (Beth) and Jeremy Riley; her sister Martha Williams (Jerry) and her brothers, Richard Ege (Tena), Joe Ege (Mei), Jerry Ege (Helen) and Fred Ege (Judie); her sisters-in law, Sharon Ege and Rita Foster (Steve); and her sister-of-the-heart, Zella Boyd (David). She loved her grandchildren: Otis, Antaneia, Romiel, Caleb, Caitlyn, Landon and Lilly more than anything; and was the favorite aunt to a number of (or maybe all) her nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Eliza; her brother Dwain; her stepson Chris; and another sister-of-the-heart Chris Scott.

Services will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visitation with family will begin at 1 p.m. Funeral services at 3 p.m. All attendees must wear masks.