She was born in Carbondale, PA and grew up in Newark, NJ as the eldest of 6 children to John and Katherine Witkowski.
Marge earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from St. Louis University. She worked at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, eventually teaching and becoming the Director of Nursing. It was at Cardinal Glennon where she would meet the love of her life Sylvester J. Bryan, who was doing his pediatrics residency. They married in San Francisco, California eventually settling in Fresno California where she raised her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother, whose love and care touched the lives of all who knew her.
Once her children were older, she returned to nursing and worked at Hind’s Hospice Home at its founding, serving as its first nursing director. She would continue to work there for 19 years before retiring when her first grandchild was born. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren who she lovingly doted over, attending all their school events and activities.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years Sylvester; son Gregory; son Paul, his wife Wendy, and grandchildren Alexander, Andrew and Natalie; her niece Vazsa Hopkins, her husband Darian and grandniece Anise; siblings Mary Houck, Katherine Decker, and Joseph Witkowski; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her younger siblings Julie Ligatich and John Witkowski.
Visitation will be held at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720,Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by the Recital of the Holy Rosary at the same location at 6:30 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Anthony of Padua, Fresno, 5770 N Maroa Ave, Fresno, CA 93704, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 10:00 am, followed by a Committal Service at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, 264 N Blythe Ave, Fresno, CA 93706, Immediately after the funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Margaret (Marge) Ann Bryan’s name to:
Hind’s Lifecare Home (ID #77-0071360)
Hinds Hospice
2490 W. Shaw Ave.
Fresno, CA 93711
or
Fresno Right to Life
Checks may be made payable to: Right to Life of Central California
1742 E. Griffith Way
Fresno, CA 93726
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Bryan family.
