Anne D'Onofrio Ryder

Anne D'Onofrio Ryder (92) of Cheshire, formerly of Hamden for many years, passed peacefully on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, with her family by her side. Anne was born on June 28, 1933, to Anna Marra and Albert C. D'Onofrio in New Haven. She later moved to Hamden, where she built a beautiful life with her husband, Arnold J. Ryder, with whom she shared 35 wonderful years of marriage.

Anne's greatest joys were her children. She was a loving mother and mother-in-law to Kenneth Ryder (Tina), Robin Kencel (Kenneth), Wendy Ryder, and Paul Ryder (Kimberlee). Anne was a devoted grandmother to her ten grandchildren-Jennifer, Brian, Sarah, Samantha, William, John, Jason, Nicholas, Jonathan, and Scott -whom she showered with love, stories, and advice. She also leaves behind two great-grandchildren, Gaaz and Temple. Anne often said her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her legacy, and she could not have been prouder. Anne leaves behind her loving companion of more than 30 years, Nickolas Bonadies. She is also survived by her dear nieces, Kathryn Monahan and Sandra McRae, born to her late brother Dr. Albert M. D'Onofrio and sister-in-law the late Carmella D'Onofrio.

A graduate of the former St. Mary's High School in New Haven, Anne furthered her education at Boston University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in physical therapy. She became registered and licensed as a physical therapist and a life member of the American Physical Therapy Association. She worked as a physical therapist and later as the administrator at her family-owned Cove Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center, Inc., along the water in the Morris Cove area of New Haven. She attended University of Connecticut to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and a member of the American College of Healthcare Administrators. Healthcare played an important role throughout her life, and her toast was always, "Health is wealth." In addition, Anne was a life member of the auxiliaries at St. Raphael Hospital and Yale Hospital.

Anne was a lover of the arts, especially the performing arts. She appeared in many productions in the High Lane Club musicals and Cast for Laughs at St. Raphael Hospital. She also volunteered at the Shubert Theater in New Haven and was a member of the New Haven Symphony Guild and the Goodspeed Opera House Guild for over 50 years. Anne loved celebrations and brought many people to the dance floor throughout the years. She especially enjoyed attending the Governor's Foot Guard Balls with her dear husband, Arnold, who was a member of the Governor's Foot Guard.

Faith was an important part of Anne's life. She was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Hamden, where she was a member of the choir for 17 years and the Mother's Guild. Her guiding light was the Blessed Mother Mary. She was also a member of several church choirs and the New Haven Chorale.

Civic duty was important to Anne. She was a member of the American Italian Women of Italy, the Greater New Haven Lodge 37 of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, the New Haven Women's Club, the New Haveners Club, and a life member of The Farms Country Club in Wallingford.

Anne loved life and lived each day to its fullest. Always smiling, she enjoyed the company of her family, friends and relatives. Meeting new people was almost a hobby for her-whether at a restaurant, the bank, a store, or simply walking down the street. She was generous in her heart, her actions, and her words. As she said goodbye to family and friends, she would often say, "When you see a butterfly, that is me watching over you." Anne will never be forgotten for her loving spirit.

Visiting hours will be Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., North Haven. Her funeral procession will leave The Havens Family-North Haven Funeral Home on Thursday, April 9 at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church/St. Paul VI Parish, 2819 Whitney Ave., Hamden at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Anne's name to Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam