PORT ORCHARD, Wash. – Always known as “Sunny” because of her warm and bright personality, Esther Suneson Riley passed away Jan. 20, (just two weeks before her 103rd birthday), while residing in Port Orchard, Wash.

She was born on Feb. 2, 1904, in Sweden, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 16. She graduated from the New York Swedish Institute of Physiotherapy, one of the first schools to license graduates who are now called physical therapists. After working in a hospital setting, she later worked at the New York Elizabeth Arden Salon as a Swedish masseuse.

New York was where she met her husband, Charles Huen Riley, originally from Sabattus, Maine. They were married for almost 50 years upon his death in 1983.

Sunny traveled throughout Europe and later, with her husband, to Central and South America where he worked with the U.S. AID program after retirement from the army and the federal government.

She was an active volunteer with Cub Scouts, schools, the National Republican Party, and the Welcome Wagon, as well as being in Avon sales.

Esther and Charles retired to homes in Maine and Bonita Springs, Fla., where she resided until moving to the Seattle area.

She is survived by her two sons, Peter S. Riley of Poulsbo, Wash., and C. Stuart Riley of Louisville, Ky.; one daughter, Inga R. Carmack of Port Orchard, Wash.; as well as six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren living throughout the U.S.