Rita M. Ryan

ORANGE, CT - Rita M Ryan, age 91, formerly of Gardner passed Monday, March 9, 2020 in the Orange Nursing Home, Orange, Ct.   Rita was born in Gardner Ma ( Nov 16, 1928) the daughter of the late Joseph and Amanda (Melanson) Melanson.   She was a life long resident of Gardner until she moved to Orange Connecticut in 2012. Rita loved growing up in Gardner, playing sports with her many life-long friends. For many years she enjoyed cross stitching which she shared with family and friends.   She was employed at Simplex Time recorder.  Prior to that she was a book keeper for a  local business.   She enjoyed the many cruises she took with her husband Herbert ( “Herbie”) with one of her treasured memories was visiting the beaches of Normandy.   She loved spending time with her family in the peaceful surroundings of her home in Gardner.   Some of her most cherished moments were spent during many vacations with her grandchildren  including riding bumper cars at Whalom and sledding at the golf course, with many laughs along the way.   Rita was a wonderful caregiver for many years for her brothers Leonard and Roger Melanson .   She was predeceased by her dear husband of over 57 years, Herbert Ryan who died in 2010 and her loving son Daniel Ryan who passed away in 2007; brothers Roger, Leonard and Joseph (Sophie) Melanson.   She leaves her son, Dr Gary ( Kathleen) Ryan from Orange Ct; grandchildren Colleen Ryan from Darien Ct, Meghan ( Corey ) Baker from Orange Ct, Patrick Ryan (Sarah) from Belmont MA and Timothy Ryan from Norwalk CT; she also leaves her brother, Clarence (Dorothy) Melanson from Brandon Florida; her daughter in law Sue Ryan from Glastonbury CT and many nieces and nephews; not to be forgotten, she leaves her sweet, four- legged family members Bella, Albert and Lulu.   Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 1 pm in the Mack Family Funeral Home 105 Central St., Gardner. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon. A calling hour will be held on Monday from 12 - 1 pm in the funeral home. To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.