Beverly Jean Riley

MISSOULA ~ Beverly Jean (Conwell) Riley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away surrounded by family at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, MT on December 27, 2022.

Born July 2, 1939, in Lewistown, MT, Bev was the second-born of Laurence Vincent Conwell and Mercedes Kathleen (Smith) Conwell. She attended Grant school and graduated from Butte High School in 1957. Beverly’s professional career spanned decades in Butte working at Wheeler Animal Clinic, Casebeer Eye Clinic and with Dr. Bill Brennick, DDS, at Butte Family Dental.

Bev married Virgil (Mert) Riley in June 1972. Lifelong residents of Butte, Bev and Mert retired to Missoula which marked the beginning of many joyful years spent cheering on the Montana Grizzlies football team, golfing, traveling, volunteering, hosting parties and looking forward to winters in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Always the active and energetic grandmother, ‘GMa’ was blessed to love and support her grandchildren Zack and Molly Perrick; Haley, Jensen and Reed Perrick; Shea, Riley and Megan Mann; and Lauren Riley.

Bev made friends easily and everywhere and cherished her lifetime friendships. Bev’s family is thankful some of her dearest friends could be at Beverly’s bedside during her passing, celebrating her life and sharing beautiful memories.

Bev was preceded in death by her Parents, In-Laws (John and Beryl (Cleary) Riley), beloved husband Mert, son Joe Perrick, step-daughter Vickie (Riley) Petritz, and sisters-in-law Diane (Riley) Haniszewski and Jackie Jo Riley.

Bev is survived by her brother Larry (Betty Lou) Conwell; nieces Lori (Conwell) (Duane) Dombrowski and Linda (Conwell) (Gordon) Johnson; son Tom (Kathy Sullivan) Perrick; daughter Staci Riley (Chris Mann); son Randy (Lisa O’Neill) Riley; daughter-in-law Ambra McQuillan; sisters-in-law Donna (Jim) McCreedy and Darlene Houlihan; brothers-in-law, Matt Riley and Dick (Carol) Riley, step-daughter Debbie (Riley) (Craig) Burns and family; Tom Petritz and family; and numerous cousins.

The Riley/Conwell/Perrick families sincerely thank the 4^th floor nursing and tech staff for their compassion and kindness during our most difficult time.

In accordance with Bev’s wishes, her remains have been cremated and she will be interred with Mert in beautiful Butte, America.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Saturday, October 21, 2023 in the Governor's Room at the Florence Building in Missoula.

In memoriam, please consider making a cash or food donation to the Missoula Food Bank (1720 Wyoming Street, Missoula, MT 59801) or Butte Food Bank (1019 East 2nd, Butte, MT 59701).

Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula.