Sister Maryellen Ryan, SUSC (Sr. John Marie) died on September 13 at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River at the age of 90. Born in Astoria, New York on September 12, 1936, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Mulligan) Ryan, both natives of Ireland. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, she is survived by her sister Margaret Admirand and her husband Peter Admirand, her brother Patrick Ryan and several cherished nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her brothers John and Michael Ryan.
Sister Maryellen’s high school education was at the Holy Union Preparatory School, Tiverton, RI. She entered the Holy Union Sisters in February 1954 and pronounced her perpetual vows on August 22, 1962. She earned a B.S. Ed. at Catholic Teachers College and an M.S. in Religious Education from Fordham University. Sister Maryellen always availed herself of workshops that supported her work in catechetics and parish ministry.
As a young religious, Sister Maryellen taught in parish schools staffed by her religious community in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. In 1972 she began a long ministry in parish religious education in parishes in New York City and later in Taunton, MA. During a year's sabbatical she divided her time between personal renewal and living with Holy Union Sisters in Argentina to continue her study of Spanish. Within her Holy Union community, she was a member of the Formation Team and served on the Leadership Team for the United States Province. She traveled twice to Cameroon to offer short courses and classes to sisters in their Formation Program. Sister Maryellen celebrated her 70th anniversary as a Holy Union Sister in 2023.
Sister Maryellen's Mass of Christian Burial will take place on September 25th at 11 a.m. at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover Street, Fall River. It will be preceded by a visitation at 9:00 and Memorial Prayer at 10:15. Burial will follow at Saint Patrick Cemetery, 2233 Robeson Street, Fall River. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street, Fall River, MA 02720.
Donations in Sister Maryellen's memory may be made to: HOLY UNION SISTERS, Mission Advancement Office, 205 Bedford Street, Fall River MA 02720.
