Martha Reilly

Beloved mother, MARTHA BRONSON REILLY, age 88 of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2010 at her daughter's home in Manassas, Virginia. She was born September 24, 1921 in Waterbury, Connecticut, daughter of the late John McGeever, Sr. and Edith Martha Bronson. Mrs. Reilly is also preceded in death by her husband, James William Reilly and one sister, Dorothy Thurston. Martha comes from one of the oldest families to settle in Beacon Falls. Her families opening of the Bronson Company made a significant contribution to the livelihood of the small town. While living in Beacon Falls she was active in and for a time President of the PTA. She generously offered her services to various community organizations. During the flood of 1957 Martha was instrumental in organizing and distributing much needed food supplies to the town's people that were most effected by the disaster. Martha was a member of the Daughter's of the American Revolution. Martha graduated from Pratt Art Institute of Design in Brooklyn, New York. She married her high school sweet heart James William Reilly and raised a family of seven children. Upon her husband's death in 1964 she returned to school and received her RN degree from Northern Virginia College. She began her professional career as a nurse in the emergency room at Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax VA. She later returned to Beacon Falls, CT and worked at Yale University Hospital until her retirement at the age of 80. Her work as a nurse focused on the care of patients with end stage HIV and cancer. Her compassion and devotion to her patients was reflected in the numerous gifts of gratitude offered by their patients and their families. Martha was the matriarch of a family that she adored. She enjoyed cross stitching, knitting sweaters for her family, in her earlier years - designing and sewing clothing for her children, dancing whenever the opportunity arose and walking along the beach with her sister Dorothy. Most of all Martha cherished her time with her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. Survivors include seven children, James Reilly and wife Serana of Lake Luzerne, New York, Robert Reilly and wife Ana of Cape Porpoise, Maine, Susan Seaha and husband Thomas of Manassas, Virginia, Anne Reilly of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mark Reilly and wife Joan of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, Jane Reilly of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Craig Reilly and wife Katherine of Manassas, Virginia; one sister, Barbara Madden of Naugatuck, Connecticut; one brother, John McGeever and wife Gloria of Beacon Falls, Connecticut; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and her beloved "Penny". Services will be held at St Michael's Church in Beacon Falls, Connecticut with interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Watertown, Connecticut. Private family viewing at 10:00am. Services begin at 10:30am, funeral mass at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Medical Missionaries, 9590 Surveyor Court, Manassas, Virginia 20110 in loving memory of Martha B. Reilly. Condolences may be sent to www.piercefh.com. Martha's family would like to thank all those that shared their kindness with our mother.

Martha Reilly

September 24, 1921 - January 28, 2010