Patricia Ann Riker

Patricia Ann Riker (nee Piper), known as Patty to friends and family, died on January 22 having recently celebrated her 96th birthday.  Born in Akron, Ohio, Patty spent most of her childhood in Upper Montclair, NJ and graduated from St. Mary’s Female Seminary in St. Mary’s City, Maryland.  Her early adult life was spent in and around Washington DC and then she lived for over 60 years in the Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills, Michigan area.  In 2014 she moved to Chapel Hill, NC to be near her daughter. 
She graduated from University of Maryland where she was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.  She lived in Washington DC and worked for Eastern Airlines and then Pan American Airlines in international bookings.  In 1953, she married Alexander John Riker. They moved to Michigan where they raised their five children.  Patty was an active volunteer in the community, especially with the American Red Cross.  She was an avid bridge and tennis player.  She and Alex had a multitude of friends. Patty loved to travel and imbued that love in her children and grandchildren.  She was well-read, curious about the world, a cherished and loyal friend to many, energetic and out-going, with a dry and clever wit and greatly beloved by her family and all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth McGowan Piper Brooks and Charles Minthorne Piper, her brother Lt. Col. (USArmy) James Glenn Piper, and her husband Alexander. 
She is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Lisa) Riker Stuckey and her husband, William of Chapel Hill, NC; Katharine Ann Riker of Albuquerque, NM; James Alexander Riker and his wife Tina Abbate of Hampton, NH; William Matthew Riker and his wife Mary Therese Lysaught of Madison, WI; and Thomas Aaron Riker and his husband James Dolenc of Chicago, IL and Glenn, MI; as well as grandchildren Elizabeth, Leigh, Anne, Alexandra, Emily, Hannah, Mary Margaret and Samuel, and great-grandchildren Aiden, Asher, William, Piper, Claire and Joseph.
The family will hold a celebration of Patty’s life this summer in Glenn, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, or the Humane Society.