OBITUARY Mary Semple Riis September 24, 1930 – October 29, 2018 Mary Semple Riis, a native of Mobile, passed away on October 29, 2018 peacefully at her home on Mobile Bay surrounded by her family. Mary (“Shrimp”) was born in Mobile, AL on September 24, 1930. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Erling Riis, Jr. (“Pinky”), and her parents, Frances Rubira Semple Haas Kelly England and John Burruss Semple.
Mary is survived by her children Fran Riis Dick, Betsy Riis Leslie (Rupert), Erling Riis III (Jeri), Buzzy Riis (Nicole), and Jim Riis (Ashleigh). She is also survived by her grandchildren David Dick Jr, (Liza), Elizabeth Riis Bone (Jonathan), Catherine Dick, William Fry Dick, Will Leslie, Maury Leslie (Liina), Hayes Leslie, Thayer Leslie, Erling Riis IV, Robert Arendall Riis, Burruss Riis (Carly), Mickey Riis, Mollie Moss, Callie Moss, Maryann Riis, Kathryn Riis; and great-grandchildren Lucy Riis Bone, David Dick III, Anneli Leslie. She is also survived by her sister Kitty Phillips along with many extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.
Mary attended Sweetbriar College and graduated from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide). Mary loved Mobile Bay, sailing and writing. She was one of the early graduates of the Sewanee Writer’s Conference.
Her work has been published in several local magazines and the New Yorker. She was a very active member of the Junior League of Mobile. Her passion for volunteer work in the Mobile community covered a broad spectrum of areas.
She was an active member, vestry member and search committee member at both, All Saints Episcopal Church, Mobile, AL and later in life at St. Paul’s Chapel in Magnolia Springs, AL. She was an avid reader and a member of various book clubs. Mary was a loving mother and devoted wife to Erling, the love of her life.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to her compassionate caregivers – Geraldine, Dorothy, Karla, and Denise. The family would also like to thank the caring staff of Community Hospice AL. Celebration of Life services for Mary Semple Riis will be held at 12:00 PM, Friday, November 2, 2018 in the sanctuary of Christ Church Cathedral, 115 S. Conception Street, Mobile, AL, 36602.
* Followed by reception with the family at the Fry House. The family will be receiving guests for visitation from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM Friday, November 2, 2018 at Christ Church Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Christ Church Cathedral (115 S. Conception Street, Mobile, AL 36602), Murray House Assisted Living (1257 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36604) or the charity of your choice.
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