Helen P. Ryan, 68, of 190 Ann Ave., Mystic, passed away Saturday at Pendleton Healthcare Center after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.
She was a Christmas baby born on December 24, 1938 in Dorchester, MA the daughter of George F. and Helen E. Costello. She married her High School sweetheart Edward J. Ryan on July 12, 1958 in St. Brendan’s Church in Dorchester and relocated to Mystic.
Helen was a former brownie leader, girl scout leader, and den mother. She was employed by the former Groton Public Health Service as a school health aide for 21 years in the Groton School System, retiring in 1996.
After retiring, she enjoyed cruising and traveling, especially to Ireland where she visited many relatives and friends. Her winter home was located in Myrtle Beach, SC where she leaves many friends.
She will be missed by her husband of 49 years; her daughter, Brenda J. Rich and husband Todd of Mystic; her son Kenneth E. Ryan and wife Karyn of Great Falls, VA; 5 grandchildren, Amanda and Tiffany Rich, and Abigail, Brendan, and Celina Ryan; her siblings, George F. Costello of Falmouth, MA, Richard T. Costello of Brockton, MA , Robert P. Costello of Scottsdale, AZ, and Marion C. Pickering of Raynham, MA, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Lorraine Gately of Braintree, MA.
Her family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Thursday from 5-7pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick Church, East Main Street, Mystic on Friday at 10am. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Old Mystic.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of Southeastern CT, P.O. Box 902, Uncasville, CT 06382.
To send her family a message of remembrance/condolence, please click the link below.