Angela F. Riordan, Clarence chemistry teacher

Jan. 15, 1958 Feb. 15, 2015

Angela F. Riordan, of Williamsville, a Clarence High School chemistry teacher, died Sunday at Hospice Buffalo in Cheektowaga after a lengthy battle with Lou Gehrigs disease. She was 57.

Born in Buffalo, the former Angela F. Fricano graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1976 and earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Canisius College in 1980. She studied at the University at Buffalo, where she earned a masters degree in education and certification in chemistry, biology and physics in 1985.

Mrs. Riordan, who taught chemistry at Clarence High School for more than 20 years, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in August 2013.

She was a finalist for the New York State Teacher of the Year in 2005 and was honored as Teacher of the Year by the Western New York Chapter of the American Chemical Society in 2007.

A test writer for the New York State Regents chemistry examination, she also wrote a chemistry textbook, Physical Setting: Chemistry, which will be published this August. The textbook, designed to help students understand content and language of the New York State Regents exams while at the same time enjoying taking the test, was a 10-year project that she was determined to finish before her death.

A member of New York State United Teachers, she was a member of ChemShare, an organization of chemistry teachers sharing ideas of what works in the classroom.

Mrs. Riordan was very active at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, where she was a religion teacher.

Survivors include her husband of 33 years, Daniel T.; a daughter, Katherine R.; a son, Stephen D.; and a brother, Russell J. Fricano.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 200 St. Gregory Court, Amherst.

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Angela F. Riordan, Clarence chemistry teacher