Elsie Muriel (Perry) Riordan, aged 89, of Brockton passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at Baypointe Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center. She was loved by all and will be greatly missed.
She was born on February 3, 1925, in Brockton and was a life-long resident of the city. She was the daughter of the late Mervyn and Anna (Therrien) Perry. She married another life-long Brocktonian, John P. Riordan, on August 7, 1954.
Following her graduation from Brockton High School, she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a Masters Degree in Social Work from Boston University. She worked as a riveter and welder at the Quincy and Hingham Shipyards during World War II. She began her career as a social worker, where she met her husband John, a co-worker. She became a well know florist and was the owner of the Brockton Flower Shop.
Elsie loved flowers and gardening. She was an avid reader, loved spending time with her children, and appreciated the fine arts, especially classical music, art, and history. She devoted herself to caring for her daughter Meg, who has special needs.
Elsie is survived by her husband, John P. Riordan, Sr., of Brockton and their five children: Meg Riordan of Kingston; John “Jack” Riordan and his wife Donna of Marshfield; Theodore Riordan and his wife Deborah of Quincy; Henry Riordan of Arlington, Virginia; and Elsie Brussels of Parkland, Florida. She was predeceased in life by her daughter, Marie Riordan. She also leaves behind ten grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is also survived by her brother Mervyn Perry, along with his wife Gayle, of East Falmouth, and her sister Mervyna Perry, also of East Falmouth. She was the sister of the late Richard Perry who was killed in action during World War II and Gloria Perry.
Visiting hours will be held at the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte. 123), Brockton, on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. Edith Stein Parish/St. Edward Church, 71 East Main Street, Brockton, on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. Burial at Melrose Cemetery.
Donations may be made in memory of Elsie to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Research, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, or BAMSI, Day & Residential Services, 10 Christy’s Drive, Brockton, MA 02301.