Mary E. Ryan

Lee Ryan, 83, of Hamden, died peacefully with her family by her side, on March 30. She was married for 55 years to the late Thomas J. Ryan. Lee is survived by her children, Karen (Roderick) White of Bethany, CT, Michael (Patricia) Ryan of Wallingford, CT, Colleen (Patrick) Riley of Fairfield, CT, Paula Ryan (John Beckman) of Pelham Manor, NY, and Bethanne Ryan (Patrick McVey) of Hamden. She was the grandmother of Brendan and Caitlin White, Aedan and Clare Ryan, William and Noah Riley, and Nicole and Jake Beckman. She also leaves two sisters, Marlene Robinson of Warwick, R.I., and Muriel Mullin of Falmouth, MA. She was predeceased by her brother, Mark Mullin. Born in Worcester, MA on February 8, 1935 to the late Mark R. and Juliet T. Mullin, Lee was raised in Rochdale, MA and graduated from St. Peter’s High School and Worcester State Teachers College. She attained a master’s degree in education from Southern CT State University, and taught 3rd grade at the Helene Grant School in New Haven for close to 20 years before her retirement. A member of both Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Joan of Arc churches, she sang in the church choir and participated in the Junior Women’s Club. After her retirement, she and her husband volunteered at the Hospital of St. Raphael. Lee was often thought of as “the life of the party”. She knew how to light up any room or situation and make people laugh with her great sense of humor. She loved music and theater, and was known to break into song at the most unexpected times. She loved her summers with family at the beach in Rhode Island and the Cape, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her family and hosting family events (Easter egg hunts, fireworks, Halloween parties, Christmas caroling) and holidays. Always an advocate for being active and getting involved, she brought skating, swimming, skiing, sledding,and croquet – amongst others -into her family’s lives. Lee cherished and was devoted to her long-time neighbors in Academy Hill. Her family will miss her profoundly; she will live on with great love in their hearts forever. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m.at St. Joan of Arc Church, 450 West Todd St, Hamden In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Yale New Haven Hospital - St. Raphael Campus, 1450 Chapel St., New Haven, CT 06511. Arrangements are with Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave., Hamden. www.siskbrothers.com

Mary E. Ryan

February 8, 1933 - March 30, 2018