Obituary of Jean Mary Ryan

RYAN, Jean Mary – Age 93, Mulgrave. It is with sad and broken hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Jean on Sunday, February 16, 2025, in the Guysborough Memorial Hospital. Born in Lower River Inhabitants she was the daughter of the late William and Evangeline (McPhee) Richard.

Jean moved from Lower River Inhabitants to Mulgrave for work in 1947. She soon met and fell in love with Foster Ryan and they married in 1948. Together they built a home in the town where they raised four children. At home, Jean was never happier than when she was looking after others. She was devoted to her family and always put them first. She was proud of her children and grandchildren. The hub of her life was the kitchen table and she loved cooking and watching people eat. Her kindness and hospitality were well-known.

It was later in life that her daughter Veronica taught her to drive. This allowed her to take a job in the Skye Motel in a variety of roles from chambermaid to pastry cook (where her considerable skills were very much appreciated!) She was in her element meeting new people and very much enjoyed her time in the workplace. Again, later in life, she made several visits to Europe, on one occasion fulfilling a dream by attending mass at the Vatican.

Jean was a quiet, unassuming lady with inner strength. This was grounded in her unwavering faith through which she was often an inspiration to others. She leaves a gap in so many lives, but also a wealth of beautiful memories.

We would like to thank Dr. Gallivan, the doctors and nurses at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital and Guysborough Memorial Hospital, family and friends and the home care workers.

Surviving are her daughter, Veronica (Rose), Pirate’s Harbour; sons, George (Helen), Chapel Point, NB, Christopher (Doug), England; Gerard (Dale), Port Hawkesbury; grandchildren, Brent (Christa), Darren (Suzanne), Heather (Jody), Brittany (Walker), Eric (Meagan); great-grandchildren, Georgia, Taylor, Kyle, Mia, Annie and Flora; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her husband, Foster; brothers, Henry, Raymond, Peter and Louis; sisters, Stella McCormack, Elizabeth MacDonald, Yvonne MacDonald, Cecilia MacDonald.

Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. Funeral mass will be 2 p.m. Friday, February 28 from St. Paul’s Parish, Havre Boucher with Father Allan MacPhie officiating. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Parish Cemetery, Mulgrave at a later date. Memorial donations in Jean’s memory may be made to St. Lawrence Parish, Mulgrave. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com