SJFC childcare coordinator to retire

After 13 years supervising the childcare programs at St. James Family Center, Mary Lou Riley is retiring at the end of this month.

Mary Lou (Dodge) Riley is known to many in the county. She and her husband Larry raised foster children along with their two biological children, caring for more than 100 foster children over the years and adopting four girls. Born in Wallace, Idaho, Mary Lou was raised in Wahkiakum County, living in the early years with her family at the Family Camp in the Elochoman Valley.

Mary Lou is a lifelong member of the LDS Church. She returned to Lower Columbia College as an adult and finished an early childhood degree in 1994.

"The Family Center is very grateful to Mary Lou for completing this degree. Licensing regulations for a childcare coordinator require an early childhood college education," said SJFC Director Carol Carver.

After marrying, Mary Lou and Larry lived for many years on Little Island and moved to Coal Creek about seven years ago, when they decided to retire from foster parenting. After a well deserved vacation, Mary Lou plans to continue helping at SJFC by assisting at the front desk. Esther Mendez Ashe has been appointed to the childcare coordinator position.

SJFC will honor Mary Lou's retirement with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. on March 22 in the family center gym. The community is invited to attend.