Mary Margaret Ryan's Obituary
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 challenges. She was 89 years old.
Mary was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 30, 1931, the beautiful daughter to Margaret Mary (O'Halloran) and Joseph McDonnell. Mary married Charles G. Ryan Sr. on June 15, 1949 and the couple honeymooned in Niagara Falls before settling down in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood. As a young wife and new mother, Mary started her working life in the field of early-childhood education, first driving a School Bus to Temple Beth-El and thereafter spending 25 years in the classroom as a pre-school teacher. Mary and Charles spent many happy years in Boston before relocating to Falmouth, Massachusetts. They later became "Cape Snowbirds" spending winters in Cape Coral, Florida and the summer on Cape Cod.
Mary was a woman of broad interests and great faith. She was a devout Catholic who prayed the Rosary daily. She loved to travel and especially enjoyed her trips to Ireland. Mary also appreciated and celebrated her Irish heritage and she loved to cook and entertain on her favorite holiday, St. Patrick's Day. One of her greatest joys was breeding and showing her many Championship Doberman and Schipperke dog breeds. Mary will always be remembered as kind, generous and so much fun!
Mary leaves to cherish her memory her children Charles Ryan Jr., Margaret (Terrance) Cerullo and Paul (Jackie) Ryan; her grandchildren Erin, Terrance, Shannon, Patrick, Michael and Cailee and two great-grandchildren Mary Margaret and Ava. She also leaves behind many extended family members and a multitude of others who were proud to call her a friend. Sadly, Mary was preceded in passing by her parents Joseph and Margaret; brother Michael McDonnell; sister Eileen Valenti; husband Charles and sons Michael, Lawrence and Timothy.
A Visitation for Mary will take place from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, October 7, 2021 inside the Chapel at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. A Funeral Mass for Mary will be celebrated by Fr. Eduardo Coll at 1:00 PM the following day, Friday, October 8, 2021, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 2628 Del Prado Boulevard S, Cape Coral, Florida 33904, (239) 574-4545. Services will conclude at Church as cremation rites will be provided. Mary will thereafter be laid to rest with her previously departed husband Charles in Massachusetts at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family instead recommends a contribution in Mary's memory be offered to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, TX 75380, (877)465-6636, or on the internet at:-https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/donate/
To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time, please visit Mary's memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign nher guestbook.
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