Elaine E. Reilly

With heavy hearts, we announce that Elaine Elizabeth Reilly passed away peacefully at her home in St. James, New York, on July 14, 2026, at the age of 91.

Elaine was born in Union City, New Jersey, to Charles and Matilda Praskac. Her earliest days were filled with memories of simple joys – making the best ice cream sodas with vanilla Mello-Roll’s and cream soda with her family on Sunday evenings. Elaine worked as an executive secretary for a dean at NYU, a position that allowed her to attend NYU tuition-free while credits cost just forty dollars each.

While in New York City, her path crossed with William (Bill) Victor Reilly, whom she married in 1959 and built a life full of love, adventure, and laughter. Elaine and Bill settled and raised their children in St. James; there, they spent countless happy hours boating on the Long Island Sound. They enjoyed camping all over the USA, but one of their favorites was Montauk, Long Island. Elaine and Bill traveled to Italy, France, and Switzerland together. Bill died in 1988 of pancreatic cancer. He took a piece of her heart with him but not her boundless spirit.

Over the next 38 years, rather than letting grief define her, Elaine chose to keep living fully — and in doing so, she showed everyone around her what resilience looks like. She was an active member of St’s. Philip & James Church for more than 60 years. She traveled extensively with her friends to Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and rafted down the Colorado River, all the while calling the same house home for 65 years.

Elaine loved to dance and sing along to old standards and showtunes. An avid reader, she made her way through roughly 3,200 books over her lifetime — keeping a careful list of the titles. She was also a talented seamstress, making many of her children’s clothes on her beloved Singer sewing machine and later handcrafting more than 100 American Girl doll outfits for her grandchildren. She was a tennis player and a beloved competitor at Rummikub and Monopoly games. She played with all her grandchildren. More than just teaching them how to win, she taught them how to compete with fairness, integrity, and skill — lessons that will stay with them forever.

Even in her final years, when things grew difficult, Elaine met everyone she encountered with a beaming smile. She had a gift for capturing hearts; those she smiled at always found themselves smiling back. She was as selfless as any Mother or Grandmother could be, giving endlessly of herself to her family throughout all their lives.

Elaine is survived by her five children: Billy Reilly, Denise Wittich, Stephanie Cereghino, Michael Reilly, and Corinne Reilly-Elfont; her 13 beloved grandchildren; and 3 cherished great-grandchildren. She will be missed dearly, but her spirit, teachings, sense of humor, and smile will live on forever and never be forgotten.

**Visitation**
Branch Funeral Home, 190 East Main Street, Smithtown, New York 11787. Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Funeral Mass, St’s. Philip & James Church. Monday, July 27, 2026, at 10:15am.

In Lieu of Flowers.
Please consider donating a book to the Smithtown Library in memory of Elaine Reilly. A commemorative book plaque with Elaine’s name will be placed inside each donated book.
Please include the book title you would like the library to purchase in the donation message. If you are unsure, fiction books—Elaine’s favorite genre—would be a wonderful tribute.

Donation link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/tsl
Or
Gilda’s Club https://gcsf.gnosishosting.net/Portal/Donate