Mary M. Ryan

WESTMINSTER - Mary Ryan, age 68, daughter of Theodore and Mary (Molly) Ristaino, lost her admirable battle with cancer and passed away on Tuesday, April 10, at the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley, surrounded by the love of her friends and family. Mary is survived by her husband, Charles, of Westminster, MA, and her daughter, Elizabeth White, and her husband Christopher of Norwalk, CT. She is also survived by her brother Theodore Ristaino, and his wife Christine of Portsmouth, NH, her sister Margaret Germain, and her husband, Albert, of Watertown, CT, her brother John Ristaino, of Franklin, MA, her brother Michael Ristaino, and his wife Elaine, of Westford, MA, and her sister, Theresa Ristaino, of Littleton, MA, and countless more friends, nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones. Mary was born on July 28, 1949, in Milford, MA. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1967, and went on to graduate from Annhurst College in South Woodstock, CT, with a degree in Political Science. She started her career at the Massachusetts Department of Corrections in 1971, where she eventually retired as a Lieutenant in 2001. She married Charles, who was also a Corrections Officer, on October 25, 1975, at Saint Mary’s Church in Franklin, MA, where she grew up. They eventually settled in Westminster, MA, where they started their life together and their daughter Elizabeth was born and raised. Mary was a dedicated volunteer to the American Cancer Society, where she would drive patients back and forth to their appointments. She was also an exceptional cook and volunteered her time serving the homeless at Our Fathers House in Fitchburg, MA. Following retirement from the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, she worked part-time cooking meals for the Broadview Retirement home in Winchendon along with other places. Mary was a loving and caring person, and she will always be remembered by those who were lucky enough to know her for her warm and generous heart, as well as her sarcastic and witty personality. Her favorite places to spend time and relax were Sanibel and Captiva Island, in Florida, as well as Manomet Beach in Plymouth, where she and Charles had a beach house. A remembrance will be held on April 28th, from 12:00 to 4:00, at The Old Mill, 69 State Road East, Westminster, MA, 01473. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Ryan’s memory, to the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley, 191 Foster Street, Littleton, MA, 01460. To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Lamoureux-Smith & Poliks - A Mack Family Funeral Home 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.