Obituary of Isabelle C. Reilly

Isabelle C. Reilly, 86, died peacefully at her Norwalk home on Friday, April 13, 2012, of natural causes, surrounded by family. Widow of Eugene L. Reilly III, Mrs. Reilly was a resident of Norwalk for 55 years. She was born in New York City on July 31, 1925, matriculated at the Ursuline School, and graduated from the College of New Rochelle in 1947. Following the death of her husband, she assumed his position as president of the Gene Reilly Group, a market research concern headquartered in Darien, CT. After retirement, Mrs. Reilly was a full-time volunteer at AmeriCares in New Canaan, CT. She believed strongly in hands-on volunteering; with her family, she travelled many times to Appalachia and with AmeriCares, to Haiti and Albania, on charitable missions. She served as the first president of the Winifred Arms Society of Amherst College, which is a liaison between the College and widows/widowers of its alumni. She was also a founding board member of the Bank of Darien, and served on the board of trustees at Canterbury School, in New Milford, CT. Mrs. Reilly enjoyed basketball in her youth, was an avid paddle tennis player in her later years and was an accomplished artist. But her focus was raising her large and loving family. Mrs. Reilly's family of survivors includes: Kathleen Reilly of Rowayton, CT and husband Dr. Rainer Maas; Kevin Reilly of Charlottesville, VA and wife Nancy; Megan Reilly of Norwalk, CT and husband Joel Perez; Sheila Reilly of Jamestown, RI and partner Peter Cosel; Carey Reilly of Redding, CT and husband John Jessep; Eugene Reilly of Washington Crossing, PA and wife Melissa; and Ellen Reilly of New York City. She had 11 grandchildren Andrew Whitcup; Shane and K.C. Reilly; Abby S. Cali (and husband Christopher Cali) and Cory, Tim and Jack Sisterhenm; Emily and Libby Jessep; and Lauren and Matthew Reilly and one great-grandchild - Benjamin Cali. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in their mother's name be made to: Camp AmeriKids, 88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of youth living with the challenges of HIV/AIDS and sickle cell disease by providing an enriching summer camp experience, at www.campamerikids.org . The wake will be held at the family home, on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, from 4:00 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk, CT, on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820