Kathleen M. Ryan

Kathleen Masterson Ryan of Delray Beach, FL, a long-time resident of Stamford, CT, died on Sunday, September 26, 2010 in Litchfield, CT. She was just recently predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, John D. Ryan, MD, who died this past September 6th, at the age of 95 years. Dr. Ryan practiced General Surgery in Stamford for over 40 years. Kathleen was born in New York City on October 18, 1917 the daughter of James and Kathryn Bradley Masterson. After high school Kay graduated from the School of Nursing at Bellevue Hospital in New York. She entered World War II in 1941 and served in England and France, eventually working at the American Hospital in Paris as a Second Lieutenant with the Bellevue Hospital Affiliate Unit of the U. S. Army’s First General Hospital. At the end of the war in 1945, Kay and John were married at the Church of the Madeleine in Paris, France. They settled in Stamford, CT in 1951 where they raised their seven children. After Dr. Ryan’s retirement in 1990 they divided their time between Newport, RI and Delray Beach, FL. She was a devout Roman Catholic and a member of St. Mary’s Church and Our Lady Star of the Sea in Stamford, CT and St. Lucy’s Church in Highland Beach, FL. Kay was very active in many community and charitable causes. She served a term as chairwoman for the United Way in Stamford and was very involved with the former St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary. An avid member of several garden clubs, and active in the local chapter of the Alliance Francaise, she also stepped up to be one, memorable den mother to Shippan’s Cub Scout Den 8 in the late fifties. A beautiful woman, a loving wife, a dear sister and sister-in-law, a warm- hearted aunt, a generous grandmother, Kay was most recently an amazed great grand mom. Kay was predeceased by her husband and by two sisters, Charlotte Lissy, formerly of Stamford, CT and Saddle River, NJ and Elizabeth V. Masterson of New York City and by her brother, James B. Masterson of Long Island, NY. She is survived by her seven children, John Dennis Ryan of Stamford, CT, Michelle Ryan Hubbard Simonds of New Canaan, CT, Dr. Richard G. Ryan of Old Lyme, CT, James B. Ryan of Delray Beach, FL, Michael D. Ryan of West Palm Beach, FL., Yvonne Ryan Cusick of Kensington, CA, and Dr. Terrence W. Ryan of Litchfield, CT, and by ten grandchildren, Stephanie A. Hubbard, Kelsey Hubbard Rollinson, Caely Cusick Tiret, E. Nicole Cusick, Christine Cusick, Kathryn Ryan, John D. Ryan III, Rachele E. Ryan, Meredith Ryan, Richard M. Ryan and a great-grandson, Hunter Brooks Rollinson. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Mrs. Rosemary R. Magner of Boca Raton, FL, and Mrs. Alice Devine of Norwalk, CT, Mrs. Vincent Ryan of Eccles, England and Mrs. William A. Ryan of Highland Beach, FL as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.