RYAN, G. Mary (Milne)

After a brave fight against leukemia, Mary quietly left us on Thursday, August 14, aged 63, with her family beside her. She was the wonderful wife of Tom for 41 years, and a devoted and loving mother to Patrick (Jenny Hazelton) and Nicholas. Mary was born in Chatham, Ontario, to Ronald Milne (predeceased) and Shirley Milne of Burlington, who will miss her greatly, as will her brother David Milne (Karin) of Oakville, and their children Vanessa (James Mirtle) and Andrew (Marena Brinkhurst), as well as her numerous cousins across Canada. Mary was much loved by her in-laws, the Greenberg family in the United States (Mary, David, Alex and Pippa) and the Ryans, Lawlors, and Milligans (Gay, Ursula, John, Charlotte, Emily, Patrick, Sean, Una, Grace, Lucy and Eve) in England. Her openness to life and love gained her a host of friends. Mary grew up in Cayuga, Ontario, in a country setting where she learned to love the natural world. At the University of Toronto, she earned an Honours B.A. in English in 1972 and a B.Ed. the following year. Mary and Tom came to Sudbury in 1979, and soon after, Mary began a 30-year career teaching English Communications at Cambrian College. She was dedicated to the success of her students, and was nurtured by the warm personal and professional relationships she developed with her colleagues. Always up for a challenge, Mary completed the Warrior Dash in 2012. She loved working in her garden, going for long walks in the bush close to the Long Lake community in which she and her family made their home, music, reading, and above all, being with her husband and children, whom she cherished with a deep love that will sustain us throughout our lives.
We wish sincerely to thank Dr. Gill, Dr. Knight and the marvellous nursing staff and support team at Health Sciences North for their excellent professional care. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Dube for his help and support throughout Mary's illness. Memorial Visitation in the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home, 233 Larch St., Sudbury. Friends may call 2-5pm; 7-9pm Wednesday only. Cremation at the Park Lawn Crematorium. Donations to the Northern Cancer Foundation would be appreciated.