Faye Marie Riser passed away on May 7, 2022. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God and the love and prayers of family and friends carried mom through her 95 wonderful years. Faye was born on May 23, 1926 in Chicago, IL, the only child to Frank and Maisie Nerheim.

After graduating Kelvin Park High School and working as a legal secretary, she met Walter John Riser at the YMCA. The couple was married on September 23, 1952 in Chicago. Married 30 years, Faye and Wally raised 3 girls, Barbara, Beth and Bonnie. Faye was devoted to her family; she was a servant, always putting others before herself. Faye returned to work in 1978 as church secretary at Prospect Heights Community Church. Following Wally’s yearlong battle with cancer, mom returned to secretarial work with Christian Church of Arlington Heights, serving the community for 17 years.

Possessing a true servant’s heart, mom was a ray of sunshine to everyone she met. Throughout her life, she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor, demonstrated by her constant nurturing love. Her signature gift of compassion, shown through her encouraging words, notes, letters and texts will never be forgotten. Yet, even throughout her own physical struggles, mom always reached out to other, focusing only on them. As a founding member of the “Sunshine Committee” mom spread numerous rays of “sunshine” to everyone around.

As we gather to honor her life, we realize how deeply she has impacted each of us. She will continue to inspire us with her faith and the life she lived. Our memories will become treasures, Above all, we are thankful that mom beholds the wonders of an eternal life, and that someday we too will be with her again. We thank God for a life lived to the fullest in service to our Lord.

Faye is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Dan) Leaf, Beth Riser and Bonnie (Dan) Lace; her grandchildren, Paul (Danielle) Leaf, Annie (Kevin) Peterson, John and Mary Lace and Nathan and Spencer Reuter; her great-grandchildren, Alivia, Elliott and Owen.

She was preceded in death by her husband and by her parents.

A celebration of Faye’s life will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 10 AM at Christian Church of Arlington Heights, 333 W. Thomas St, Arlington Heights, IL 60004.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Christian Church of Arlington Heights, www.ccah.org

Compassion International, 12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80921, www.compassion.com

American Humane Society, Attn: Philanthropy Department, 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 360, Washington D.C. 20036,  www.americanhumane.org

Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., New York, NY 10014, www.audubon.org