Mary Riordan

Mary Ellen Riordan, age 91, of Columbus, MS, peacefully passed away January 3, 2026 with family at her side.

At a later date, Mary will be buried with her husband at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.

Mary Riordan was born April 19, 1934 in Gantt, Alabama to the late Claude Aplin and Ellie Taylor Aplin. She attended Phillips High School in Birmingham, Alabama. She met and married Jerry L. Riordan in 1952 and started a lifelong adventure as an Air Force wife. Mary and Jerry traveled the world, while raising three children. Mary was an active member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was always active with the Military Wives Clubs and devoted much of her time to the Air Force Family Services helping spouses and families overcome the challenges of military life. Mary and Jerry retired to Niceville, Florida in 1982 and enjoyed two years of retirement, before they started a new adventure in Saudi Arabia for eight years. Her beloved Jerry passed in 1994. Later Mary met Raymond P. Dunn of Valparaiso, Florida and they teamed up to travel and enjoy life and grandchildren for 13 years. She attended Annunciation Catholic Church in Columbus, MS. Mrs. Riordan loved animals so her pacemaker will be donated to help a dog in need.

In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her husband – CMSGT Jerry L. Riordan of Niceville, Florida, sister – Betty L. Parker of Birmingham, AL – and companion CMSGT Raymond P. Dunn of Valparaiso, Florida.

She is survived by her children – Dorothy L. Burfeindt (Bob) of Columbus, OH, Debbie L. Kaya (Mel) of Gilbert, AZ, and Patrick Riordan (Janet) of Columbus, MS; 7 grandchildren – Jeremiah T. Kaya (Tiffany) of Tempe, AZ, Josh D. Lamb (Eunhye) of Okinawa, Japan, Craig T. Kaya (Chelsea) of Gilbert, AZ, Christina M. Brown (Chuck) of Washington, D.C., Jennifer L. Maxwell of Delaware, OH, Ryan P. Riordan (Sarah) of Nashville, TN, and Sean M. Riordan of Columbus, MS; 5 great grandchildren – Jerry Maxwell of Delaware, OH, Leela Kaya of Gilbert, AZ, Henry Brown of Washington, D.C., Remi Kaya of Gilbert, AZ, and Eleanor Brown of Washington, D.C.; and her beloved great grand dog, Charley of Columbus, MS. Additionally there are several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Baptist Hospice, 2309 Bluecutt Road, Suite B, Columbus, MS 39705.