Elaine C. Risley

Risley, Elaine C. (Endicott), 82, of Absecon, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2022, in the comfort of her home and surrounded by her family. On April 23, 1939, Elaine was born to Richard and Caroline Endicott and lived her entire life in the small town of Absecon, which she affectionately referred to as “her hometown”. Elaine attended the Absecon Public Schools from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade and graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1957. In 1958, she married her husband, Norman Risley, and raised their family in Absecon. Some of Elaine’s fondest and most cherished memories are of her childhood and growing up in Endicott’s grocery store on Shore Rd. (currently the Sunryser), which was owned by her parents. If you happen to stop in for a bite to eat, you just might see a picture of young Elaine and her puppy Zeke in front of the old store! Elaine took pride in knowing everyone in town because of the family business. Everyone came to buy her Pop Geary’s Lima Beans, the best in South Jersey! Elaine was a lifelong Abseconite and took a great amount of pride in her community. She started the Absecon Girls Softball and was later appointed to the Board of Parks and Playgrounds by former Mayor David Hodgson. She worked many years in the lunchroom at the Emma C. Attales Middle School and was infamously known for banging the pans to keep the unruly lunchroom students in line! There was even a designated nickname for her amongst the children! In addition to that, she was more affectionately known as Mrs. Risley or simply Mrs. “Riz” by those who knew her well. Elaine spent a lot of her time working for Mr. Poley in his floral shops in Historic Smithville. She loved to create intricate and one-of-a-kind wreaths and floral arrangements. She later moved on to other endeavors and worked for Tricpician’s Macaroons as they moved around from different locations in Absecon. Elaine’s most recent contribution to the town was serving on the board of the Absecon Historical Society on New Jersey Avenue. Elaine was a loyal and faithful member of the Absecon Presbyterian Church for seventy years. She not only attended services but volunteered her time and dedication to the church and community. Elaine also loved getting together for dinner with her friends who she referred to as “the gals”. Elaine is predeceased by her husband, Norman Risley Sr.; her parents, Richard and Caroline Endicott; and her sister, Mae Pallastrone (Aunt Masie). She is survived by her children, Norman Risley Jr. and his wife Donna, Carol Henderson and her husband Craig; grandchildren, Craig Henderson Jr. and his fiancé Jacki, Nickolas Poletis and his girlfriend, Nicole; and great-grandson, Aidan. Elaine was always on the go and kept busy cruising around town as the only double-footed driver around! There is no doubt, that if Elaine was there, it was cleaner than it was when she left! Elaine will be sorely missed by her family and friends, but we will rejoice in her faith in God and celebrate her life with our memories of her in our hearts. Due to the many concerns of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, services will be held privately for the family, with arrangements made by Parsels Funeral Home (keeping it in Absecon). We ask that if you knew her, you remember her as the upbeat, energetic, and always on the go cleaning lady with the yellow rubber dish gloves and a bleach spray bottle! In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you kindly make a donation to the Absecon Volunteer Fire Department in Elaine’s name, and remember as Elaine would say, “Absecon is home”. The family would also like to express sincere gratitude to Atlanticare Hospice, they were exceptional! For online condolences, please visit www.parselsfh.com.