Mary Ann Ryan

Mary Ann Ryan passed away peacefully at her home on February 5. She was 99.

Mary Ann was born to Albert C. and Elizabeth Fellinger on January 23, 1927, in Muskegon, Michigan. She grew up in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood and attended St. Phillip Neri Grade School and St. Aquinas High School, both on the South Side. She graduated from St. Mary's College of Notre Dame in 1949, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and a minor in chemistry. Mary Ann worked as a dietician at the University of Chicago Hospital before she began her second career as a full-time homemaker, raising four children.

Mary Ann was the heart and hub of many lives; people just naturally revolved around her. Her energy and zest for life were remarkable. Mary Ann was a devoted friend, active volunteer, lover of music and the arts, able tennis player, avid Bridge player, gracious hostess -- sometimes of raucous parties -- and a lover of travel, nature, and the outdoors. In addition to her beloved Chicago, her favorite places were Aspen, Sanibel Island, and Wisconsin's Northwoods, and she rarely missed a chance to visit any of them. In fact, Mary Ann rarely missed a chance to do anything adventurous or new or fun. She was a model for how to live life full of enthusiasm, gratitude, generosity, laughter, and love.

One of Mary Ann's most important roles in life was that of Grandmom to eight grandchildren. For the last 30 years, Mary Ann was the sole grandparent, doing the work and having the impact of four. She spent countless hours on soccer field sidelines and in auditoriums cheering on her grandchildren, was a fixture at dozens of graduation ceremonies, proudly witnessed four marriages and many baptisms and was there in spirit for those in her later years. She hosted family gatherings galore at her lovely home, sometimes slipping away toward the end of charades, but mostly joining in with her trademark joie de vivre.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by the love of her life and her husband of 43 years, Jack (John P. Ryan, Jr.), whom she met in the second grade; an infant son, Paul; her parents; and her brother, Albert C. Fellinger, Jr. She is survived by her devoted family who consider themselves blessed to have had her in their lives for so long: Her children Janet (Gary Grasso), Mark, Ellen (Steve Mardiks), and Carol (Wendall Cady); grandchildren Michael Grasso (Krista), Daniel Grasso, Peter Grasso (Stephanie), Brian Grasso (Mary), Elizabeth Avera (Hayden), David Grasso (Rachel), Matthew Mardiks, and Emily Smart (Dillon); 11 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews in the Fellinger and Clancy families; her loving companion Jack Cooper; and treasured friends.

A celebration of Mary Ann's life will take place at St. John of the Cross Church in Western Springs on Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. Friends and family are invited to a visitation at the church beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation to Misericordia or Wellness House, two organizations close to Mary Ann's heart.

Arrangements by Sullivan Funeral Home Hinsdale. 630-323-0275 or www.sullivanfuneralhomehinsdale.com