Obituary of Daisy Ellen Riley

Daisy E. Riley passed away on January 23, 2012 at Sunshine Villa in Santa Cruz, at the age of 94. Daisy was born in Dutton, Montana on August 28, 1918. She was the daughter of Ezra Flick and Florence (Gilmore) Flick. She grew up on a wheat farm in Dutton, and was the valedictorian of her graduating class in 1936 at Dutton High School. Her yearbook quote "Dizz, Always true to her work, her word and her friends". She was a graduate of Montana State University in 1940 in Bozeman with a Bachelor of Science degree in bacteriology and botany. While attending Montana State she was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Sorority, the Phi Sigma Sorority, the camera club and received the Women's Athletic Association Basketball Award. In the 1940's Daisy worked as a civilian biologist in the Panama Canal Zone. In later years she worked as a microbiologist, laboratory technician and manager in Stockton, Lodi and Roseville. She moved to Santa Cruz from her home in West Point, California in 2007. Daisy was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a member of the West Point Covenant Church where she was also the Sunday school teacher. She was a master gardener, enjoyed international travel, hiking, photography and had a love for natural places. She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Anne Riley and Kathleen Sue Riley; her sister, Florence Flick; her brother, Robert Flick; she is also survived by four grandchildren, Sherri (Miller) Wise, Leslie (Miller) Turner, Mark Robert Smith, Gregory Smith and nine great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Riley; brother, Henry Flick and her parents. Services will be held at West Point Covenant Church, 22264 Hwy 26, West Point, CA on Sunday January 29, 2012 at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow at West Point Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions are preferred to Montana State University to their Science (Botany) Department or to women's scholarships.