Elizabeth Ryan

Waterford - Elizabeth F. (Betty) Ryan, has passed on Jan. 20, 2019 after a long illness. She was the widow of Frank D. Ryan; they had retired to their beloved Waterford, Conn. in April 1988. In recent years, she moved closer to family at the Eddy Village Green in Cohoes, N.Y.

Betty was born in New Rochelle, New York on March 24, 1927, the daughter of Elizabeth Rooney and Laurence Fregeau; she was pre-deceased by her older brother, Tom. She graduated from the College of New Rochelle in 1948 and was then employed by the New York State Department of Social Services (NYSDSS) in Mt. Vernon, New York.

She and Frank began their family which was to include seven wonderful children and eventually 17 glorious grandchildren whom she always enjoyed to the fullest. We fondly recall her energy and love of living life. At age 51, she returned to her social work career, this time in the Children's Services Division. She was home-finder for the Adoption Unit and then worked in the agency with teenagers who had been ordered into placement by Family Court.

Betty enjoyed helping with the Food Pantry in New London, Conn. and assisting at the desk at the Community Center. She always enjoyed a bridge game, but her priority always was her family. Betty was a member of St. Paul's Parish in Waterford, Conn. and had served as President of the Waterford Women's Club and a board member of the League of Women Voters.

Surviving are her children, Thomas (Debbie) and their children, Lauren, Howard, John and twins Thomas and Christian, all of King of Prussia, Pa. Daughter Beth of the Madonna House Apostolate of Combermere, Canada. Son Bob and daughter-in-law, Padmaja with their son Michael (Laura), and daughter Tricia. Son, Jim (Anne) of Gaithersburg, Md. and their children Claudia and Louis. Daughter Doris (Peter), and their children Julianne, Emily and Harry of Morristown, N.J. Daughter Nancy (Joseph) and their children, Shannon and Ryan Joseph of West Roxbury, Mass. Daughter Katie and her children Hannah, Peter, Tyler of Clifton Park, N.Y. Two beloved great-grandchildren.

The funeral services will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Waterford, NY at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 23. There are no calling hours. Interment will be at the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in New Rochelle, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting memorial donations to:

Madonna House Apostolate, Combermere Ontario K0J1L0 or Waterford Country School, 10 Laurel Hill Avenue, Waterford, CT

Arrangements are by Gleason Funeral Home.