Birth date: Nov 30, 1931 Death date: Sep 30, 2021
Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Mary Margaret (McDonnell) Ryan of Fort Myers, Florida passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Thursday, September 30, 2021 while under Hospice care for some recent health Read Obituary
Mary and I met in 2002 at a dog show. It was my first time attending a show and as I drove in the entrance, several little black dogs were being led across the road. I said to my friend, “what kind of dogs are those?” She said, “I think they’re Schipperkes.” I spent the rest of that dog show stalking all the Schipperke breeders, asking questions and learning all I could about this little dog. I met Mary that day and she kindly answered all my questions and even took me into her motor home to meet one of her 5-month old puppies. She said she wanted him to go to a show home and at that time, I was looking for a pet. As my friend and I drove home from the show, I mentioned that the only pup Mary had for sale was one that needed to go to a show home. My friend said, “I’ll teach you and help you show if you want to get that dog.” So that’s how I got my first Schipperke, Tug, and how I met a wonderful, dear, new friend in Mary Ryan. In later years, I would also have another of Mary’s Schipperkes, Splash. Mary was such a help and support to me with the dogs and showing. She also was an encouragement to my 10 yr. old son who began showing dogs in Juniors. We would meet up at various shows in the Northeast, show our dogs, and hang out together. She introduced me to other breeders and we had some fun times at the shows. We talked throughout the year over the phone and I always looked forward to her Christmas card which would include photos of “the furry ones” as she called her dogs. Though Mary loved her dogs, her greatest love was reserved for her family. She always spoke so highly of Charlie and her children, I could hear the pride in her voice when she talked about them. Mary was kind, and so willing to help others. She was a dear friend to me and my son, John. I will always be grateful for her friendship and will miss her very much.
Becki Connell
