Celebrating the life of
Mary Reilley Rankin
April 06, 1949 - July 23, 2014
Mary Reilley Rankin, 65, of Hilton Head Island, passed away on July 23, 2014 after a long battle with cancer, in which she triumphed, but ultimately suffered from a devastating disease that claimed her cognitive abilities.
The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. and Vera Reilley, Mary was the third child of eight born in Providence, RI on April 6, 1949 and grew up in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. She later attended Brenau College in Georgia, where she met her husband, William Sloan Rankin, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. They married and moved to Hilton Head Island in 1973. Mary briefly taught history before becoming a decorator for Plantation Interiors. Her husband, Bill, was a golf pro at the Plantation Club in Sea Pines until they opened "The University of Hilton Head," the first retail business to emulate a college bookstore. Situated in Harbor Town, the store was a model for others across the nation.
Remarkably, the entire Reilley family followed Mary to Hilton Head forty years ago and played an important role during the development of the island. Each of her siblings raised their families on Hilton Head and created an incredible dynamic that most aspire to, but few are able to achieve.
Mary was a woman full of love and light. Her family was her whole heart and soul. She was kind and nurturing to her many nieces and nephews, always offered her sweet smile and words of wisdom when they were needed most. However, Mary took the most pride in her two daughters, Reilley and Caroline Rankin, who never failed to give their mother every ounce of love they had. Teaching them that "can't" wasn't a word in their vocabulary, she always provided the means and encouragement for them to achieve anything they chose. Along with Bill, Mary diligently followed her daughter's career on the LPGA.
Mary had an affinity for positive thinking and on the cupboard door at home she hung a sign saying, "An obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off
the goal."
Her husband, two daughters, seven siblings; Tom & Diane Reilley, Dennis & Deannalynn Reilley, Michaela & Kip Simmons, Michael & Marcia Reilley, Patti & Bain Culton, David & Laura Reilley, Susan Reilley and nearly thirty nieces and nephews survive her in love.
A funeral service will be held at Saint Francis by the Sea Catholic Church on Saturday, July 26th at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers the family has established a fund in the Name of Mary Reilley Rankin to benefit the LPGA foundation as well as other local organizations.
Send donations in care of Sun Trust to 7 B-7 Greenwood
Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928.
Carolyn, Reilley and Bill and the whole Reilley family, John and I send our sympathy on the passing of Mary. She was a great role model for two wonderful daughters and the Reilley clan. She is at peace and with God and watching core all of you. Bless you all! Libby and John Long
- Long, Narragansett, RI, RI
Bill, Reilley and Caroline, I send you love and condolences from the Atlanta part of the family. I am so sorry for your loss.
- Janet Sloan Rankin, Atlanta, GA
Reilley, I'm so sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your sister in our prayers. Take care.
- Stephen Weeks, Savannah, GA
Our deepest condolences to the Reilley and Rankin families. Such fond memories of Mary and all the Reilley cousins. A great sister, wife, mom. Thoughts and prayers to all from Maureen and family.
- Maureen Harrigan Lanseur, Ann Arbor, MI
Tom, David, Reilley and all other members of the "awsome" Reilley Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. I know Mary will be missed by those so many folks, fortunate enough to have known her. Her memory will be forever! Ike
- Ike Callaway , HHI, SC
Mary was so helpful as a sitter for my daughter, Lindsay, and as a room mother when Reilly was in kindergarten. I remember Caroline when she was a baby and those great happy hours we would share with Bill and neighbors on their screened porch. Good Times! So sorry to have the girls and Bill lose her. I will never forget her!
- Brenda Compton, Bentonville , AR
Carolyn, Reilley and Bill and the whole Reilley family, John and I send our sympathy on the passing of Mary. She was a great role model for two wonderful daughters and the Reilley clan. She is at peace and with God and watching core all of you. Bless you all! Libby and John Long
- Long, Narragansett, RI, RI
Bill, Reilley and Caroline, I send you love and condolences from the Atlanta part of the family. I am so sorry for your loss.
- Janet Sloan Rankin, Atlanta, GA
Reilley, I'm so sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your sister in our prayers. Take care.
- Stephen Weeks, Savannah, GA
Our deepest condolences to the Reilley and Rankin families. Such fond memories of Mary and all the Reilley cousins. A great sister, wife, mom. Thoughts and prayers to all from Maureen and family.
- Maureen Harrigan Lanseur, Ann Arbor, MI
Tom, David, Reilley and all other members of the "awsome" Reilley Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. I know Mary will be missed by those so many folks, fortunate enough to have known her. Her memory will be forever! Ike
- Ike Callaway , HHI, SC
Mary was so helpful as a sitter for my daughter, Lindsay, and as a room mother when Reilly was in kindergarten. I remember Caroline when she was a baby and those great happy hours we would share with Bill and neighbors on their screened porch. Good Times! So sorry to have the girls and Bill lose her. I will never forget her!
- Brenda Compton, Bentonville , AR
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
