September 9, 2023
September 9, 2023
Eulogy For Jackie Riley
My name is Michael Greene.
To many, my mom introduced me as her favorite son and even though I was the only son I wore that moniker with pride much to the chagrin of my three sisters, Chris, Brenda, and Valerie.
Today, we are gathered to honor and say our final goodbye to an amazing woman who has left an indelible mark on our lives, a woman who is not just our mother but our mentor, our hero, our confidant - Jackie Riley.
My mother was a woman of few words, but when she spoke, her words held the weight of the world. Her advice was always clear and honest, even when the truth was tough to hear. See didn’t sugarcoat life, she equipped us to deal with it. She valued honesty, perseverance and dedication to your work and family.
Growing up, my mom was a pillar of strength. She taught us that it’s okay to fall, but what matters is that we pick ourselves up and keep going. She showed this through her actions, living out her days with a determination that was nothing short of inspiring.
She took pride in even the smallest achievements; this was evident in the many scrapbooks she made for many of her many life achievements and those of her four children and luckily for me she counted the even the small achievements as well or my scrapbook would have been both small and underwhelming. It was ironic that a few months ago she was there to see her Grandson Jake graduate high school as she beamed with pride.
Growing up with her sister in an unstable household, she endured constant moves, school changes and verbal abuse from her parents. She endured the never-ending alcohol fueled fights between her parents until they separated in her teens.
At the young age of 18 she married my father Jere Greene and started a family to include Chris and myself and the twins, unfortunately due to the stresses of life they divorced after seven years but through life remained good friends till the end.
Interested in law enforcement went on to school to study criminal justice and in 1968 joined the Corona Police department as a reserve police officer, one of the first women to enter the ranks at the time. She also worked for Security Pacific bank in many capacities, growing her skills from a teller to that of an auditor and fraud investigator. As the years went on, she continued her career in banking and fraud investigations as she became an executive at Bank of America and then Sanwa Bank until she retired at the young age of fifty-eight. During her career she investigated many high-profile bank robberies, embezzlement, theft, and fraud cases. With sheer tenacity, she worked every case and investigation to ensure the justice would prevail.
It was ironic that on December 23rd, 2006, my mom and Bob experienced a home invasion robbery. The armed gunman, holding them hostage, forced them to go to the bank and withdraw money.
True to form my mom’s first call from the police station was to me, keep in mind this is Christmas weekend and plans were in place for a large gathering at my house the following day. As I answered the phone my mom’s words were very matter of fact,
“I won’t be able to bring the deviled eggs tomorrow, we had a home invasion, everyone is okay, the gunman is dead. You can tell your sisters and I will tell you more when we get out of the police station.”
Most people that had just been in that situation would be a complete mess, not my mom she was unshaken by the recent event. Unlike the 100,000 plus Corona residents and commuters that endured the untimely Christmas weekend shutdown of the 215 and 91 freeways as well as most of the surrounding streets for many hours on that not so enjoyable Christmas weekend.
Cancer, the insatiable foe with no conscience, remorse, or feelings for what it takes.
In 1981, mom fought an intense battle with breast cancer and survived, she later lost her husband Jerry Riley to cancer and her dear friend Bob Portick to cancer as well. Through these firsthand experiences mom knew too well the rath of cancer and the unending treatments for eradication and the toll taken on the mind body. It was a shock to the family when we were informed of the fast-moving Glioblastoma “Brain Cancer” and the bleak prognoses for any treatment. I think this was the first battle my mom decided not to fight as she knew it was a losing battle no matter the outcome, as she was already having problems with memory and speaking which was very frustrating for her.
The pain of losing her is profound, and the void her absence leaves feels impossible to fill. But in the silence, I feel her guiding light, her words of encouragement, and I feel her love surrounding us.
Jackie Riley, my mother, was truly a woman of tenacity and perseverance, and her legacy will live on through all of us. She lives in my heart as a beacon guiding me forward, her lessons my roadmap in life.
So today, we do not simply mourn the loss of an amazing woman, we celebrate her life and cherish the time we had with her. Today, we honor my mother by remembering her not with tears in our eyes, but love in our hearts and smiles on our faces. We remember her laughter, her wisdom, and most importantly, her unwavering love for us.
Mom, you have been my greatest inspiration. As I navigate life without you, I will hold onto the memories, the lessons, and most importantly, the love. You may not be here in person, but your spirit remains with us. Until we meet again.
I love you,
Your favorite son
Michael.
My name is Michael Greene.
To many, my mom introduced me as her favorite son and even though I was the only son I wore that moniker with pride much to the chagrin of my three sisters, Chris, Brenda, and Valerie.
Today, we are gathered to honor and say our final goodbye to an amazing woman who has left an indelible mark on our lives, a woman who is not just our mother but our mentor, our hero, our confidant - Jackie Riley.
My mother was a woman of few words, but when she spoke, her words held the weight of the world. Her advice was always clear and honest, even when the truth was tough to hear. See didn’t sugarcoat life, she equipped us to deal with it. She valued honesty, perseverance and dedication to your work and family.
Growing up, my mom was a pillar of strength. She taught us that it’s okay to fall, but what matters is that we pick ourselves up and keep going. She showed this through her actions, living out her days with a determination that was nothing short of inspiring.
She took pride in even the smallest achievements; this was evident in the many scrapbooks she made for many of her many life achievements and those of her four children and luckily for me she counted the even the small achievements as well or my scrapbook would have been both small and underwhelming. It was ironic that a few months ago she was there to see her Grandson Jake graduate high school as she beamed with pride.
Growing up with her sister in an unstable household, she endured constant moves, school changes and verbal abuse from her parents. She endured the never-ending alcohol fueled fights between her parents until they separated in her teens.
At the young age of 18 she married my father Jere Greene and started a family to include Chris and myself and the twins, unfortunately due to the stresses of life they divorced after seven years but through life remained good friends till the end.
Interested in law enforcement went on to school to study criminal justice and in 1968 joined the Corona Police department as a reserve police officer, one of the first women to enter the ranks at the time. She also worked for Security Pacific bank in many capacities, growing her skills from a teller to that of an auditor and fraud investigator. As the years went on, she continued her career in banking and fraud investigations as she became an executive at Bank of America and then Sanwa Bank until she retired at the young age of fifty-eight. During her career she investigated many high-profile bank robberies, embezzlement, theft, and fraud cases. With sheer tenacity, she worked every case and investigation to ensure the justice would prevail.
It was ironic that on December 23rd, 2006, my mom and Bob experienced a home invasion robbery. The armed gunman, holding them hostage, forced them to go to the bank and withdraw money.
True to form my mom’s first call from the police station was to me, keep in mind this is Christmas weekend and plans were in place for a large gathering at my house the following day. As I answered the phone my mom’s words were very matter of fact,
“I won’t be able to bring the deviled eggs tomorrow, we had a home invasion, everyone is okay, the gunman is dead. You can tell your sisters and I will tell you more when we get out of the police station.”
Most people that had just been in that situation would be a complete mess, not my mom she was unshaken by the recent event. Unlike the 100,000 plus Corona residents and commuters that endured the untimely Christmas weekend shutdown of the 215 and 91 freeways as well as most of the surrounding streets for many hours on that not so enjoyable Christmas weekend.
Cancer, the insatiable foe with no conscience, remorse, or feelings for what it takes.
In 1981, mom fought an intense battle with breast cancer and survived, she later lost her husband Jerry Riley to cancer and her dear friend Bob Portick to cancer as well. Through these firsthand experiences mom knew too well the rath of cancer and the unending treatments for eradication and the toll taken on the mind body. It was a shock to the family when we were informed of the fast-moving Glioblastoma “Brain Cancer” and the bleak prognoses for any treatment. I think this was the first battle my mom decided not to fight as she knew it was a losing battle no matter the outcome, as she was already having problems with memory and speaking which was very frustrating for her.
The pain of losing her is profound, and the void her absence leaves feels impossible to fill. But in the silence, I feel her guiding light, her words of encouragement, and I feel her love surrounding us.
Jackie Riley, my mother, was truly a woman of tenacity and perseverance, and her legacy will live on through all of us. She lives in my heart as a beacon guiding me forward, her lessons my roadmap in life.
So today, we do not simply mourn the loss of an amazing woman, we celebrate her life and cherish the time we had with her. Today, we honor my mother by remembering her not with tears in our eyes, but love in our hearts and smiles on our faces. We remember her laughter, her wisdom, and most importantly, her unwavering love for us.
Mom, you have been my greatest inspiration. As I navigate life without you, I will hold onto the memories, the lessons, and most importantly, the love. You may not be here in person, but your spirit remains with us. Until we meet again.
I love you,
Your favorite son
Michael.
