Obituary of Mary Ryan

RYAN Mary Ryan (nee Bradley) on Friday, August 22, 2008, at Parkwood Hospital in her 74th year. Predeceased by her beloved husband Allan (October 2007). Mother of Camilla, John, Tim and Kara. Mother-in-law of Bruce Summerby, Mary Anne Ryan, Susan Ryan and Scott Klarenbach. Proud grandmother (Mimi) to John and Mary; Thomas, Anna, Joe and William; Matthew, Nicholas and Noah; Adam, Zachary and Hanna. Survived by her sisters Anne Taylor and her husband Colin and Margie Ferguson and her husband Ralph; her sisters-in-law Helene Ryan, and Mary Gillespie and her husband Len. Predeceased by her brother Philip and her brother-in-law Frank Ryan. Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews and a wide circle of friends, especially Ethyle Lamb. Born in New York City, Mary moved to Bathurst, New Brunswick, at the age of five when her father died suddenly. She loved the Maritimes, returning every summer with her family to vacation at a cottage on the Bay of Chaleur. Trained as a nurse in Montreal, Mary met Allan after she moved to Southwestern Ontario in 1959. They married two years later. After her youngest child began Grade 9, she returned to nursing at Grace Villa Hospital. Mary's family and friends will miss her wisdom, hospitality, warmth and honesty as well as the twinkle in her eye when she told a story that usually ended with her hearty laughter. Her family marvelled at her energy, and was inspired by the way she stood up for what she believed. She had a strong faith and generous spirit that was expressed daily in acts of kindness and comforting words. Mary liked nothing better than to be surrounded by her family, who were by her side during her illness. The family would like to thank Dr. Catherine Walsh and the nursing staff at Parkwood for their compassionate care. Resting at the John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King St. Visitation is Monday 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Prayers Monday at 8:15 p.m. Funeral Mass is Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Parish, 777 Valetta Street. Cremation and private interment at St. Peter's Cemetery. As an acknowledgement of Mary's compassionate nature, expressions of sympathy may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society (Holy Family Parish), of which she was a member.