Ethel M. Ryan
"Beloved Mother and Grandmother"
LOWELL Ethel M. (Ferreira) Ryan, 82, a lifelong Lowell resident, died Sunday, July 22, 2012, at Willow Manor after a period of declining health with her family at her side.
A daughter of the late Norberto Ferreira and the late Ethel (Sousa) Ferreira, she was born August 15, 1929, in Lowell, and was educated in the Lowell school system.
She made her lifelong home in Lowell, and was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church. In her younger years, she enjoyed dancing, reading and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. Spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren was her greatest joy.
Ethel was a former employee with Wang Laboratories for several years. She also worked as a teachers aide with the Lowell school system and as a nurses aide with the former St. Joseph's Hospital in the nursery. She also volunteered for many years at Fairview Nursing Home with her dear friend, Dot Varnum.
She is survived by her children, William A. Ryan and his wife, Dorothy, of Westport, Betty Ann Rawnsley of York, Maine, Mark P. Ryan and his wife, Patricia, of Lowell, Julie M. Ryan of Lowell, and Ethel C. Gomes and her husband, Anthony, of Littleton; her sisters and a brother, Marie McFadgen of Hudson, NH, Elaine Coconis of Chelmsford, Deolinda ‘Dolly’ Jodoin of NY, Theresa Collinge of Pelham, NH, and David Ferreira of Townsend; as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews.
She was also the sister of the late Julie Ferreira, the late Hilda Dimaggio and the late Norbert Ferreira and mother in law of the late Bruce Rawnsley.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HER VISITATION 9 UNTIL 10:30 A.M. ON THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 26, AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. HER FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. ANTHONY’S CHURCH 893 CENTRAL ST., LOWELL AT 11 A.M. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HER NAME TO CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES, P.O. BOX 17145, BALTIMORE, MD 212978 ST. JUDE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL, 262 DANNY THOMAS PLACE, MEMPHIS, TN 38105 ST. LABRIE INDIAN SCHOOL, ASHLAND, MONTANA 59004 or CAHOLIC SCHOOL AT ST. XAVIER, ST. CHARLES MISSION, ASHLAND, MONTANA. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
