Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan, age 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 14, her family at her side.

Mary was a beloved presence in the lives of her family and friends. She was a dedicated mother, raising three children in Amherst, New Hampshire and Paradise Valley, Arizona. She combined a New England directness with an Arizona warmth that earned loving and lifelong friendships with the people she came to know.

She was an avid reader, tennis player, friend, wife, mom, and grandmother. She never missed a milestone – baptisms, first communions, confirmations, sporting events, ballets, plays, and graduations. She served on the board of Hospice of the Valley, was a Hospice volunteer, a volunteer for Crisis Nursery, a Eucharistic Minister to patients of Banner Hospital, and a nurse volunteer for Mission of Mercy of Arizona. She was a pillar of stability, strength, and compassion. She is deeply missed.

Born Mary Frances Leete on July 29, 1942 in South Portland, Maine, the daughter of Lawrence and Frances Leete. She attended St. Joseph’s Academy and later graduated from the nursing program at Salve Regina College in Newport, Rhode Island. She married Thomas Ryan of Huntington, New York on September 11, 1965 with whom she raised Sean, Elizabeth and Mark.

A loving grandmother to ten beautiful grandchildren, she found her greatest joy in her family. She cherished time spent with them in Arizona and the family home in the mountains of central Vermont. She will be remembered for her kindness, quiet strength, and the love she so freely gave.

Mary is survived by her husband, Tom; her three children, Sean, Elizabeth, and Mark; her two daughters-in-law, Jennifer and Kerrin; her son-in-law, Jeffery Catalano; and her cherished grandchildren – Christine and her husband Jesse, Davis, Zachary, Hayden, Tessa, Grace, Keira, Ce Ce, Tommy, Jack and her two brothers Larry Leete Jr. and Paul Leete of Michigan.

A Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Angels, Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, on March 9 (live stream) beginning at 10:00am with the rosary, followed by a Mass at 10:30am and reception following at the Casa. There will be a celebration in late July at Our Lady of the Snow in Woodstock, VT (date TBD) for family and friends in New England.

Mary’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley or the Franciscan Renewal Center.