Obituary of Gale Riley

Gale SherylAnn Erica Riley passed on January 16 th , 2020 surrounded by her three children. She was 57 years young. She was a Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend . She was affectionately known as “Galey”. Gale was born November 8 th , 1962 in Point Fortin, Trinidad to FitzRoy and Wilma Jean Riley. She was the 9 th of 11 children. The caring sister of Patricia, Carl, Dorine, Pamela, Judith, Denise, Beverly, Derrick, Antoinette, and Paula. She and her siblings grew up in La Brea Village in St. Patrick County. As a child Gale was known for being quiet and thoughtful and often in her own world. As she developed into a young woman she blossomed into a witty young lady with and sassiness she would be known for. She attended Renown College in San Fernando and in 1985 she left Trinidad and came to the US to begin a new life of independence. She married and had three children Dominique, Laisha, and Kurshall. Her family moved from Brooklyn New York to Florida where she went to school and became a CNA. She worked in a nursing home and loved her job. She treated her patients with love, and respect. She really got to know them building relationships with them all. She was the type to smuggle and extra pudding or a piece of chocolate just to bring a smile to their faces. She later became a Home Health Aid a was known to traverse any whether to make sure her patients received the care they needed. Gale worked hard to provide for her family. She was a beacon of togetherness and had an open heart and would open her doors to anyone who needed and asked for nothing in return. She would often say “As long as I have a little corner to lay my head down I’m good”. When things got tough Gale got tougher. In 2004 after a separation she and her children moved back to New York. She made a decision to make it on her own and through her faith, support of family, and her determination she became an example of success. She was such a strong person, her internal strength was immeasurable. The last ten years Gale faced battles with her health. Her health slowed her down significantly. She was nothing short of a survivor overcoming multiple surgeries, countless treatments, and daily therapies. She pulled strength from her children, from her grandchildren especially, & from her mother. No matter how she was feeling, no matter what she was going through none of that stopped her from smiling, laughing, joking with her beautiful grandchildren who became her world. They are her legacy. An example to all we have learned from you Gale, you taught us how to work hard, how to love unconditionally. We’ve gained wisdom in your stories, learned how to handle the bluntness in your truths. We thank you for you wit and sarcasm. We thank you for keeping us grounded and supporting us every step of the way. Thank you. Gale is preceded by her daughters Dominique and Laisha, son Kurshall. Her grandchildren Garbriel, Aiden, Zuri, and Amara. Her siblings Patricia, Dorine, Pamela, Judith, Denise, Beverly, Derrick, Antoinette and Paula. Her nieces Nicole, Tineil, PeggyAnn, Farah, Ackelia, Aneicia, Rachel, PetalAnn, Nickeisha, Rena, Tamika, Glenesha. Her nephews: Joshua, Cassius, Cleve, Damian, Daniel, Kester, Shaquille, Jelani. Her children in law: Donnell, Clint, and Danaly. Many many cousins, and friends.