Ryan, Mary
January 12, 2012Born in 1915 into a great hurling family, the Walsh's of Tubberadora, her father Johnny, won five senior All-Ireland hurling medals with Tipperary; her uncle, Denis, five, her uncle Dick, one, and her brother John was also a medal holder, a remarkable twelve Celtic Crosses in one family. Not surprisingly therefore, Mary was an avid hurling fan all her life, following the fortunes of Tipperary and Boherlahan with great enthusiasm. However, other sports also interested her, in particular, horse racing and formula one racing, she was well-versed in all.
Mary began her working life in Benson's Drapery in Thurles and while there she met her husband to be Tommy Ryan (cattle dealer). They married in 1943 and raised a family of four, Maura, Jim, Helen and Fidelma. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, granny and great granny and a dear friend to so many. Tommy, sadly passed away in 1992.
A larger than life character with an infectious sense of humour, Mary touched many lives with her huge heart and generosity. In terms of recycling, she was years ahead of her time, and loved nothing better than dressing people in other people's clothes from her emporium "The Arc" at the Pallotine College, with her friends.
She worked tirelessly for the Pallotine Missions and the Ursuline Sisters, organising sales of work and jumble sales, a reflection of her deep faith and her commitment to it. She was a daily Mass-goer and cycled to the Cathedral on her red Raleigh bicycle or sometimes took a lift on O'Meara's milk float.
Her love of politics began early in life when she wore "the blue shirt". Always very informed, her interest in the local and national political scene never waned. She was also a great reader, particularly the Mills and Boone genre, but enjoyed all kinds of books and magazines.
Music was a big part of her life. She loved to sing all the old Irish songs and took pride in the fact that in the 70s she entertained singer Johnny McEvoy at her home in Bohernamona Road. For her 90th birthday, she had a phone call from Daniel O'Donnell which also greatly pleased her.
She loved baking and each year produced thirty two Christmas cakes as presents for family and friends. The aroma of tarts, pavlova, rum-babas, and soup was ever present in her home, "The Darina Allen" of Thurles.
She never lose her sense of style and delighted in matching her colours with scarves and jewellery to greet her wide circle of family and friends who daily visited her.
In her late eighties, Mary went to live at Sue Ryder Foundation in Holycross where she was very happy, a tribute to the care and attention of the staff and her friends.
Due to ill health, she moved to her new home, at Acorn Lodge, Cashel, in 2010, where she lived out her days in peace and happiness with her many friends and the amazing staff.
The passing of this great lady is mourned by all who had the privilege of knowing her but she will be particularly missed by her loving family whose great consolation is the many happy memories they have of their wonderful life with her.
May she rest in peace.
- Courtesy of Tipperary Star, 12th January 2012 Tweet
