Carol J. Riley, 62, of Maynard, formerly of Concord, died on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at Emerson Hospital in Concord. She was born in Waltham on March 1, 1956 to her late parents, William and Charlotte (Forsyth) Riley. She graduated from Concord-Carlisle High School with the class of 1974, and earned an Associate's degree at Endicott College in Beverly, and a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State University. Carol took pride in her position as an Early Childhood Educator, beginning at Serendipity Childcare Center in Acton in 1981. She later taught at various childcare centers for 36 years. She was a faithful member of South Acton Congregational Church, and loved cooking, needlework, reading, and classic movies. Her memory will be cherished by two sisters, Linda Thomas and her husband Larry of Ayer, and Laurel Landry and her husband Robert of Maynard, one brother, William Riley of Bridgton, ME, and her nephews, Lowell David Thomas, Timothy Thomas, and Collin Thomas, all of Ayer. She was also the aunt of the late Larry Dean. Relatives and friends will gather for her memorial service on Saturday, December 29th at 11 am in South Acton Congregational Church, 35 School Street, Acton. Burial at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord is private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carol's memory may be made to Neurofibromatosis Northeast, 9 Bedford Road, Burlington, MA 01803 (www.nfnortheast.org). Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.