Obituary of Barbara Reilly

Barbara Ann Reilly (née Schevera) died on Sunday, June 4, 2023 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  She was 81.

Born on September 14, 1941 in New York, NY to John and Angela Schevera, Barbara was a graduate of Croton-Harmon High School.  After many years dedicated to raising her children, and once her youngest started kindergarten, Barbara returned to school.  She earned a bachelor’s degree from The College of New Rochelle followed by a master’s degree from Queens College in Library Science. 

On December 21, 1963, Barbara married the love of her life, Bill Reilly. They welcomed four children:   Beth, Brad, Carolyn and Meghan, and later welcomed six grandchildren:  Kelly, Kristen, Kevin, Ryan, Katarina and Samantha.

Barbara worked as a school librarian until her retirement in 2000. The library was a second career for her, though, as her first and most important career was being a mother and devoted wife.  As one could imagine, life with four children was never dull and Barbara was a master at juggling anything that came up – dance and music lessons, girl scouts, sports practice, games, recitals, and anything else you could imagine four children with varying interests could want to do.  She was always there to support us at everything we did.  Barbara also cherished the many family ski and beach trips.  She was an amazing mother and set a great example for all of us.  She cherished her role as a grandmother and took every opportunity to proudly share their successes with anyone and everyone. She answered to “Grandma” or “Manya” and would welcome them with steaming bowls of vegetable or spaetzle soup and all types of homemade cookies. The front of her refrigerator was cluttered with dozens of photos highlighting their accomplishments and the special times they shared with her and our Dad. She was the best grandma ever and her grandchildren loved and adored her. 

Barbara was the ultimate hostess.  She loved cooking, entertaining and anything Christmas-themed. The Christmas season always kicked off on the day after Thanksgiving with Christmas tree shopping and then the decorating would begin.  She loved to host annual Christmas cookie exchanges with her friends as well as the Annual Reilly Christmas Party.  Once retired, Barbara also started playing bridge several times a week with friends. She and Bill enjoyed traveling, and fell in love with the cruising life, traveling multiple times a year to lovely locations.  As a family, we were lucky enough to celebrate their Golden Anniversary on a cruise together to the Caribbean in December of 2013.

Barbara will be greatly missed by her entire family, including daughter Beth McCain (Patrick) of Jamestown NC, their daughters Kelly of London, UK and Kristen of New York, NY, son Brad Reilly (Angela) of Prescott, AZ, daughter Carolyn Dow (Stephen) and their sons Kevin and Ryan of Mansfield, MA and daughter Meghan Aubert (Timothy) and their daughter Samantha of Larchmont, NY.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bill, and her granddaughter Katarina Reilly Aubert.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 8 from 4-7pm at the John J. Fox Funeral Home, Inc., 2080 Boston Post Road, Larchmont, NY 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 9 at 10:00am at Saints John and Paul Church, 280 Weaver Street, Larchmont, NY

Internment will immediately follow at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, 540 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association – Hudson Valley Chapter in Barbara’s memory.