Mary Attracta Ryan, née Burke, 93, of North Palm Beach, Fla., formerly of Hinsdale, died peacefully May 30, 2022, surrounded by her seven children.
Mary was born in Chicago in 1928 to Mary and Michael Burke and returned to Ireland at age 2. She was raised in a loving home in Cullonaughton, County Mayo. Mary had a love of learning, excelling in school and tutoring others. At age 18, Mary boarded the S.S. Marine Flasher for Ellis Island. From there, she moved to Chicago and lived with her Uncle Mike and Aunt Mary, working for the telephone company as a statistician.
In 1957, Mary met the love of her life, Bill Ryan. They were married at Christ the King on Feb. 8, 1958. Mary and Bill had eight children, the youngest being Jean Marie Ryan, who passed away in 1972 at Misericordia Home.
Mary and Bill had a long and loving marriage, always putting family first. Although Bill was often heard saying that he was the luckiest guy in the world to have married Mary, Mary felt that she was the lucky one. Their story is one of deep faith, perseverance and success. They enjoyed walking to and from daily Mass, stopping to see a few grandchildren along the way. Mary and Bill Ryan founded Town & Country Homes in 1958, growing it into one of the largest private home building companies in the United States. Town & Country Homes was truly a family-operated business. As the company was starting, Mary would often drive to the office with their young children to have dinner as a family. At night, she would do the accounting in the home office. The business needed an interior designer, so Mary created T & C Interiors, designing and decorating many model homes.
Mary's life's work was her commitment to faith and family. Her love of God placed Sunday Mass at the center of any activity. Her commitment to family included large gatherings in Lake Geneva, Hinsdale and Florida. She found joy and purpose in individual travel with small groups of grandchildren, and destination trips in the United States and Europe with the whole family. No easy feat trying to book dinner reservations for parties over 50. The most memorable trips were to Ireland to visit Mary's parents.
Mary cherished her friendships with so many while enjoying golf, bridge and travel. She also had a passion for the symphony, theater and lectures, which she shared with her family and many friends. Mary shared her time and talents with Misericordia Home by volunteering and being a member of The Women's Board. Mary and Bill were longtime friends of Misericordia Home, highlighted by their contribution to the Jean Marie Ryan Center. Mary and Bill were also long time contributors to William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart and Vascular Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center, Macular Degeneration Research Fund at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Mary A. Ryan Endowed Scholarship Fund at St. Mary's College, St. Mary's College Science Lab, Lost Tree Charitable Foundation, Catholic Charities, Big Shoulders Fund, The Catholic Extension, Freedom Golf Association, The Jake Foundation, Our Lady of Florida, The Kravis Center, Chicago Symphony and Wellness House of Hinsdale.
Above all else, Mary's legacy was her devotion to faith and family. She will be remembered for her kindness, grace and generosity to all who loved her. Her bright smile lit up a room and she brought joy to all those who met her.
Mary was preceded in death by Bill, her husband of 64 years; her daughter, Jean Marie Ryan; and her siblings, Therese (Dennis) Beeforth, Nancy (Tom) Henry, Veronica Mattera, Joe (Kathleen) Burke, Noel (Ann) Burke.
She is survived by her children, Mary (Bob) Buddig, Bill Ryan, Mike (Carolyn) Ryan, Eileen (Scott) Seyfarth, Tom (Maura) Ryan, Therese (Mike) Rooney, and Donna (John) Coffey; her grandchildren, Sarah (Michael) Swanson, Jenny (Chris) Sizer, Erin, Margaret and Bobby Buddig, Maggie (Anthony) Roti, CJ (Dana) Ryan, Steven Ryan, Kayleigh (Patrick) Kelly, Kristin (Phil) Nye, Kelly (Ryan) Downey, Jack, Annie and Michael Ryan, Bill Seyfarth, Alison (Will) Feldman, Michele (James) CarMichael, Emily Seyfarth, Kate, Aileen, Maeve, Sean and Eamon Ryan, Meghan, Nora and Michael Rooney, and Lauren, Grace, Colleen, Jillian and Mary Coffey; her great-grandchildren, Michael and Charlie Swanson, Clare and Mary Kate Sizer, Avery, Dominic and Mackenzie Roti, Riley and Patrick Nye, Liam and Olivia Feldman; her siblings, Mary (the late Frank) Burke, Bernie (the late Desmond) Lynch, Colette and Quaseem Blan; and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass celebrating Mary's life will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 2, at St. Isaac Jogues Church, 306 W. Fourth St. Hinsdale. The mass will be livestreamed at https://www.SIJ.net and on Facebook.
Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Misericordia Foundation, 6300 North Ridge Ave., Chicago, IL 60660 Misericordia Foundation; or Loyola University Medical Center in support of Dr. Douglas Anderson or Dr. Scott Smith online at http://www.loyolamedicine.org/giving, or make checks out to Loyola University Medical Center and mail to: Loyola Medicine Office of Philanthropy Bldg. 115, Rm. 353, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood, IL 60153.
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
