Euple J. Riney 

December 11, 1925--February 25, 2009

Euple Riney was a large part of The Storyteller Magazine. In fact, she is the reason for its existence. In 1996, the magazine she wrote for folded because of the editor's ill health. She badgered me to start my own magazine until I gave in just to get her off my back! I knew nothing about editing or putting together a magazine, but that didn't stop her. "You can do it. I know  you can," she'd tell me. Thirteen years later, The Storyteller is bigger and better than ever. I guess she saw something in me that I couldn't see. But then she always did see the good in me, when I couldn't see anything but the bad. Without her influence and encouragement, I would have never started the magazine, never went back to college, never become the person I am today. I have her to thank for that.

The moment she learned to read, she devoured anything and everything she could get her hands on. Most of her later education came through books. As a small child, I remember sitting in the floor, listening to her voice as she read to four of her children from the great classics of literature. Her love of the printed word passed to all of her children and we can attribute our of love of books to her. She made everything sound so exciting and we flew across the plains on Flicka and felt the wind in our hair.

As the years passed, she longed for a better education and at the age of 50, returned to school to get her GED. It was a proud moment in her life as well as the lives of her family when she reached out her hand for that diploma.The pride we felt was no less than the pride she always had for us.

Once her children left home, she began to try her hand at writing her own stories and was thrilled to see several pieces published. It only fueled her love for words and she continued to write for the sheer pleasure of it. Once The Storyteller was established, she began a "My Page" column, much to the delight of readers everywhere. She won awards for her earlier writings, but I believe she was most proud of all the awards she won through The Storyteller. Each one was framed and hung on her wall with pride. We teased her that she would run out of wall space and then where would she put them all. She'd just smile and say, "I'll find a place."

Soon, her dreams turned to writing a book. In 2004 she released her first book, Reflections. It became an instant best seller--at least among her family, friends and writing peers. In a few short months she'd sold out of the first printing. The book was filled with her recollections of family life during the Depression, her married life with her husband of 47 years and, of course, her children. Poetry was also a favorite and several helped fill out the book. It is now in its second printing.

In 2007, she released her second book, Euple's Song. This book is filled with her love of travel and the many places she got to see that she'd never thought possible. New York City was a complete shock to this country woman, but she loved every sound, smell and taste of it. I still smile at her shock and excitement over the things she witnessed in the city that never sleeps. Her first trip to the ocean when her grandson was married and how, for the first time in her life, she wore a swim suit. On another trip to the ocean where my husband taught her to fish. It was a new experience, but she caught on quickly and Tom lost his second fishing pole while she was there. He told her that he'd taught her fish, now he'd have to teach her to cuss and drink. The fishing she loved, but was hesitant over the cussing and drinking! She'd told me once that the only other place she wanted to see before she died was the Grand Canyon. My sister and I loaded her up and off we went. You can't imagine the wide-eyed wonder that filled her body and soul as she stared off into that great expanse. Her child-like wonder and awe at the beauty in the world was catching and a thrill to watch.

She filled her life with books and song, and it was nothing for her children to be off in the woods or at the creek and hear her singing as she went about her work. Her high, clear voice echoed over the hills and valleys and we knew that as long as Mama sang, everything was right with the world and we felt safe and content. The day I realized I hadn't heard her sing as she went about her daily life was the day my world became a more frightening place.

As a minister's wife, she adopted many children over the years, as well as their children, and each and every one loved her dearly. She took them under her wing and was always there to lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on.

In a wild Irish family, mom was usually the quiet one, but she was storing it all in her mind for stories later on that came alive on the pages. She was naive a lot of the times, but that only added to her charm because it was so innocent.

Very few people that ever met her walked away without feeling as though they were the most important people in her life. She gave love unconditionally and with such joy that people of all races, men, women and children were drawn to her like a magnet.

From some of the cards we received:

"She was a truly unique addition to this world--it makes me happy to think of her smile and her spirit. I send you my love, and the assurance that your mom made my life better.

"She was such a loving and caring person. I will remember her for her sweet smile and kind manner. I'm sure she is up in heaven smiling down on us all."

She was certainly unique as she gave love as though it was a pocketful of candy to anyone who needed or wanted it.

As her daughter, I was truly blessed to have such a loving mother that encouraged me, fought for me, believed in me and loved me unconditionally. I wish every child in the world could experience that kind of love.

She will be missed, but never, ever forgotten.