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Eleanor O’Leary Riber   February 22, 1937 – February 14, 2017

Ellie Riber, a long-time resident of Alfred, New York passed away unexpectedly while on vacation in Auckland, New Zealand on February 14, 2017. 

Ellie was born to Sara and Edward O’Leary on February 22, 1937 in Columbus Ohio. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a BA in Elementary Education and immediately started teaching school, while rooming with some of her best high school and college friends.  She met Rob Riber on a train to the 1958 National Championship Rose Bowl game and they were married on June 25, 1960.  They started their life of adventure by moving to California, where she instantly made good friends.  She continued to good naturedly support her husband and growing family while they experienced the 60’s in Detroit, the 70’s in Northern New York, and finally settled in Alfred in 1976. 

Her passions were family, friends, community, and of course The Ohio State University. She loved to have everyone together, including relaxed weeks at Silver Lake, Michigan, Thanksgivings in Detroit and New York, and two decades of North Carolina beach get-aways.  She was the second mother to many, loved young people, and made them feel at home.  She never had to be the center of attention but many sought her friendship and counsel.  She had a strong social conscious, influenced people by example, and dedicated her life to teaching, and volunteering for humanitarian causes. In 2012 she was awarded the Allegheny County Volunteer of the year by the State for her advocacy work at the Office for the Aging.  She loved to laugh with others and the only times she got upset were over Ohio State losses and politics. (Her family is convinced that if Hillary had won, she’d still be alive.)

She will be sorely missed by her loving husband Robert, children Julia (Eric Johnston) of Portland OR, David (Julie Riber) of Powell OH, and Dennis of New York, NY, grandchildren Daniel and Katelyn Johnston and Benjamin Riber, and brother Daniel O’Leary (Chiquita) of Flossmoor IL.  She is predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law Alan and Sabre O’Leary.  Donations may be made in her memory to the Alfred Area Food Pantry (587 Route 244, Alfred Station, NY 14803).  A Memorial Service is being planned to be held in Alfred, New York.