Frances Irene Ryan

Frances Irene Ryan was born in Lynn, Massachusetts to the late Mary T. (Mayo) and Francis G. Ryan. She grew up in Lynn and Salem, Massachusetts and attended Salem High School with her Sister Patricia Ryan (now Chatel), and Brother Michael Ryan. She went on to finish her associates degree at North Shore Community College where she graduated top of her class in Paralegal Studies.

She loved to travel and spent many a weekend night dancing at the singles clubs with her best friend Linda Cullen. When Fran was not showing off her dancing skills, she was living her life to the fullest at Bretton Woods and various ski mountains throughout New Hampshire and Vermont often taking her kids out of school to ski with her. Fran was popular among her children’s friends and often took in teenagers in need of a place to stay earning her several endearing nicknames that stayed with her until the end - “Franny”, “Franchone”, and “Choni”, to name a few. Fran was known as Mere to her grandchildren. She enjoyed yearly family camp trips (and dance parties) at the Acres of Wildlife Campground with them and her dear friend Linda Cullen. Fran and Linda enjoyed traveling near and far for many years, including family often. Whether she was walking the same streets as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday or getting a butterfly tattoo while visiting Florida, Fran loved to immerse herself in adventure.

Fran is survived by her three children, Kimberly Wright (Jason), Kristen Hickey, and Ryan Hickey (Mercedes); grandchildren Bryn and Harry Sylvia, Jonah, Lucas (Savannah) and Anna Shepherd, Tommy and Katherine Hickey; great granddaughter Maeve Shepherd; siblings Pat Chatel (Al), and Michael Ryan (Karen). Fran was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews as well. Fran’s predecessors include her sibling Eddie Ryan (1951), and grandson Garrick Sylvia (January 11, 2000).