On Sunday morning, Nov. 13, 2011, Jennifer (Davis) Riley peacefully left this earth to be with her Lord Jesus following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer at the tender age of 36.

 

Though her days here were short-lived, the lives she touched remain innumerable and she will be forever remembered for her zest for life and desire to serve those around her.

 

She leaves behind a legacy of joy in the midst of trials, humility in the midst of applause, faith in the midst of sorrow, and hope in the midst of despair.

 

Jennifer will be remembered as a devoted wife to Mike; loving mother to Hunter and Chase; treasured daughter to Lynn (John) Roach and Jim Davis; sweet sister to Brad (Ashley) Davis; precious granddaughter to Fred and Virginia Crooks of Oakland City and Calvin and Spicy Davis of Princeton, daughter-in-law to Jim and Connie Riley of Evansville, sister-in-law to Deena Riley of Evansville and Cody and Susan Riley of Newburgh and granddaughter-in-law to Dick Whitehead of Princeton. Jennifer also leaves behind nieces, nephews, cousins and many faithful friends who loved her.

 

Born and raised in Princeton, she was known for her love of community and support of local causes. An avid Princeton Community High School alumna from the class of 1993, she obtained her dental hygiene degree and then continued to receive her bachelor degree in health care from University of Southern Indiana in 1997.

 

She elected to return to the area to work and raise her own family. She met and married the love of her life on Oct. 14, 1997 and was blessed by the birth of her boys.

 

Six years ago, Jennifer founded the Flip Flop Embroidery Shop and became a successful player in the small business community in Princeton. She and her family belong to St. Joseph Catholic Church.

 

Upon receiving her diagnosis, Jennifer joined forces with a close group of friends and family, lovingly referred to as "The Brunch Club," to walk this journey by her side. She was committed to bringing awareness to the gravity of this disease with the hope of improving detection and treatment options to future generations. She and her family founded the Riley Fight Club to further this cause. This team hosted their first annual Fightstrong 5K this spring and played an integral part in the 2011 Relay for Life. Riley Fight Club plans to continue her legacy.

 

Jennifer was loved by all who met her and would light up a room with the beautiful smile that has become synonymous with her personality.

 

She completed her first triathlon just weeks before being diagnosed and was blessed to be able to complete the cycling portion again this fall.

 

Her motto became "Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet" and she lived this to the fullest.

 

She leaves behind many broken hearts but would be the first to tell you, "Do not mourn my passing, but instead celebrate my life and the fact that I am with my Father in heaven. My diagnosis did not define me or defeat me, but rather gave me an added purpose to substantiate my faith to those around me and hopefully make a difference in the future of pancreatic research."

 

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Princeton, Father Bernie Etienne and Father Ronald Zgunda celebrants. Colvin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.