Funeral Services Monday evening and Tuesday morning at St. Mary Church, Gloucester City
On December 18, 2009, Age 70. Of Gloucester City. Formerly of Woodbury. In the loving and devoted care, surrounded by her family, Priests and Dominican Sisters, Sister Mary peacefully went home to the loving arms of Jesus and her parents, the late Anna E. (nee Kennedy) and George J. Ryan.
Sr. Mary was raised in Woodbury, NJ where she attended St. Patrick’s School. She graduated from Gloucester Catholic High School, Gloucester City in 1957 where she excelled in basketball, field hockey and softball. Sr. Mary remained an avid supporter of the school her entire life.
After graduation she worked for Saunder’s Publishing Company, Camden Trust as well as a local law firm.
PHOTO: SISTER MARY RYAN O.P.
In 1958 she answered her call to service and entered the order of Dominican Sisters of Newburgh. One of Sr. Mary’s earliest joys was teaching. She taught for 16 years with stops in Newburgh NY, New Haven Ct., Bridgeport, Ct., Alexandria. Va. and locally at St Rose of Lima in Haddon Heights.
In 1974, Sr. Mary began her work in Pastoral Ministry in the Diocese of Camden, serving the people of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Fairview and Incarnation Parish in Mantua.
In the late 1970’s Sr. Mary arrived at St. Mary’s Parish in Gloucester City where she would spend the remainder of her years dedicated to helping anyone and everyone. Her work in this Ministry included visiting the sick and homebound as well as senior citizens and the needy. Two projects near to Sr. Mary’s heart were the Msgr. Edward B. Lucitt Needy Children Program and the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. In 1980, Sr. Mary joined the board of Senior Citizens United Community Services (SCUCS). This group was instrumental in providing the residents of Gloucester City use of the Sen Hans Bus, which provided much needed transportation to supermarkets and area shopping malls. The group also established local delivery of Meals on Wheels. Sr. Mary was also involved in the Key Communicators’ Meeting to help keep the community informed of happenings in their city.
In 1997, Sr. Mary received the Lion’s Club award for \”Distinguished Citizen of the Year\” for her dedication to her work and the citizen’s of the area. She was also honored in 2002 by the Gloucester Catholic Alumni Association with the Dr. Frank and Catherine Kelly award, given annually to a friend of GCHS who through their good work brings honor and recognition to the school.
Sr. Mary is survived by numerous cousins, friends and her beloved Dominican Sisters of Hope (formerly Newburgh Dominicans).
Religious, clergy, relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Monday evening from 5 pm to 8 pm and again Tuesday morning from 10 am to 11 am at St. Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am in the church. Interment New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
There will be no viewing at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations are strongly requested in her memory to: Saint Mary’s R.C. Church Fund: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030 or Newburgh Center of Hope: Development Office: 320 Powell Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550-3412 or Gloucester Catholic High School: 333 Ridgeway Street Gloucester City, NJ 08030, Attn: Mr. John Colman, Principal or Samaritan Hospice: 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053. In the memo of your check, please write Sister Mary Ryan.
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