Obituary – Edith “Edie” Haldane Riker
Edith “Edie” Haldane Riker
December 10, 1936 – March 22, 2025
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Edith Haldane Riker, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Edie passed away peacefully in Whitinsville, MA with the love of her husband, Stan and her family surrounding her.
Born in Hackensack, NJ to Cleo and William H. Haldane, Edie grew up in Ridgewood, NJ where she built fond memories from childhood through marriage to her high school sweetheart, Stanley E. Riker, Jr (retired Captain, Ridgewood Fire Department). Married for 66 years, they lived both in the fast lane racing sports cars with their SCCA friends and later in life enjoyed the much slower pace of cruising the waters of Long Island and New England in their sailboat with their friends in the Peconic Bay Sailing Association.
They raised their family in Ridgewood as long-time members of First Presbyterian Church and in 1984, Edie and Stan moved to their summer home on the beach in Riverhead, NY. Their journey continued with moves to Port St. Lucie, FL, Granville, NY, and later Whitinsville, MA, always building deep connections and friendships wherever they went. They will miss their friends at their winter home in Jensen Beach, Fl.
Edie’s passion for service was evident through her long-time volunteer work promoting literacy through public libraries and Rotary International in Riverhead, Port St. Lucie, and Granville and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow for her dedication to serving others. A 1956 graduate of Ridgewood High School and a 1958 graduate of Green Mountain College, her professional career followed in the footsteps of her grandmother’s legacy, spending many years in publishing with Public Works Publications and Pearson/Prentice Hall before establishing her business, East End Publishing Services in Riverhead.
Edie’s love and kindness will forever be cherished by those she leaves behind: her devoted husband, Stan; her daughter, Joanne Riker of Northbridge, MA; her son, Stanley E. Riker III and his wife, Marianne, of Sebastian, Fl. She adored and was so proud of grandchildren, Alex J. Riker and his wife Lauren of Stow, MA; and Ryan Riker and Shelby Riker of Sebastian, FL. Her precious great-grandchildren, Ari and Liv Riker brought her joy and laughter. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Moore of Wilmington, NC, her brother, Dave Haldane and his wife Joan, of Toms River, NJ, and nieces and nephews.
Edie’s warmth, generosity, and unwavering love for her family and friends will be deeply missed, but her legacy of kindness and adventure will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 26 at Carr Funeral Home, 24 Hill St, Whitinsville, MA. A graveside service will be held at 1pm on Thursday, March 27 at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, your support of either the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy (https://www.barbarabush.org/donate/) or Rotary International (rotary.org/donate) would be appreciated—both causes near and dear to Edie.
