A memorial service has been scheduled April 21 for longtime Santa Clarita Valley Scholarship Foundation President Judy Riley, who died Tuesday due to complications from pneumonia.

Riley, 68, was in her third term as foundation president, an organization that has been providing merit and need scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors since 1977.

She served as president for nearly 14 years. Before retiring in 1998, Riley taught math at La Mesa and Rio Vista junior high schools.

"Judy was instrumental in coining the foundation's mission statement: ‘Helping today's scholar's become tomorrow's leaders,'" foundation secretary Josy Block said. "This statement says it all and drives us forward in carrying out Judy's dream."

The foundation works with local businesses, education groups, other philanthropic foundations, parent organizations and volunteers to establish and distribute scholarships to students attending all nine high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District.

This year the foundation received more than 400 applications for 125 available scholarships.

The foundation's current vice president, Elaine Foderaro, has served as acting president since February and will assume the leadership role to complete Riley's term.

"I will truly miss Judy and her constant guidance she gave me this past year as my mentor," Foderaro said. "She was a person who should have been cloned for every organization in Santa Clarita.

"She never felt anything was too much for her to do, and she accomplished many things for her family, students and the SCV Scholarship Foundation. My heart is very heavy and saddened."

The memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 21 at Eternal Valley Memorial Park in the Main Chapel. The family has requested memorial donations in Judy Riley's name be sent to the SCV Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 220236, Santa Clarita, CA 91322.

tmarashlian@the-signal.com
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