Mary Helen Riley, a retired educator and 41-year resident of Liberty, NY, died peacefully at her home on September 23, 2017. She was 73 years of age. 

The daughter of the late Matthew W. and Helen (Baginski) Lacko, she was born in Baltimore, MD on April 3, 1944.

Mary Helen began her career teaching secondary English at Bensalem High School in Pennsylvania. Mary Helen left teaching for a time to raise her two children, Kathryn and Matthew. Mary Helen returned to teaching at Liberty Elementary School where she taught for 18 years until retiring. She received her undergraduate degree from East Stroudsburg State College and received her Master's Degree in Education from Temple University.   

Mary Helen was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Liberty, NY. 

Mary Helen is survived by her husband of 51 years, John Messer Riley; her daughter, Kathryn Ann Riley and Kathryn's fiance, Wayne Prisco; her son, Matthew Carl Riley and Matthew's wife, Amy Halpin Riley. Mary Helen is also survived by two siblings: her brother, Matthew Lacko and sister, Margaret Ann Furmaniak and Margaret's husband, Edward Furmaniak as well as John's sister, Carolyn Hoffman and Carolyn's husband, Charles. Mary Helen had five grandchildren, Briege Agnes Riley, Harper Mary Riley, Arden Myra Riley, Luke Matthew Riley and Mary Grace Riley as well as several nieces and nephews.  

Visitation will be on Friday, September 29th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY. The Catholic Daughters will conduct prayer services at Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the funeral home.

Funeral Mass will be Saturday, September 30th at Noon in St. Peter's Catholic Church in Liberty, NY. Monsignor Edward Straub and Pastor Father William Scafidi will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Peter's Cemetery, Liberty, NY. 

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter's Catholic Church, 264 North Main Street, Liberty, NY 12754. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com