Ryan, Mary Louise (Foster)

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Mary Lou (Foster) Ryan passed away peacefully on Monday, May 15, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at home. She was the beloved wife of Maury Ryan with whom she shared sixty years of marriage. Born in New Bedford, MA, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Gilbert and Mary (Clancy) Foster.

Mary Lou met Maury in New York City. After they married, they moved to Rochester, NY. They settled down in Barrington, RI, in 1970, where Mary Lou helped to form and direct the Children’s Theater, and starred on stage in the Barrington Players’ Cole Porter and other shows. She was a talented singer and performer.

Mary Lou attended the Newton College of the Sacred Heart, and later obtained a Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College. She then worked for many years as a Social Worker for West Bay and Woonsocket Head Start. It was her nature to take others under her wing, and she was known to help the underprivileged get back on their feet.

Mary Lou was a Master Gardener and belonged to the Rhode Island Botanic Center, where she helped organize Fairy Days, Christmas Wreath Decorating events, among others. She was also a member of the RI Orchid Society and the Edgewood Gardening Club.

She was known for her sparkling, funny, kind and adventurous personality, and she made everyone feel welcome in her presence. She was blessed to be always surrounded by many friends with whom she shared a “sisterhood.”

Mary Lou was the loving mother of Maury Foster Ryan, Sara Louise Ryan, Matthew Vincent Ryan and Yooja Hillary Ryan; grandmother of Liam Ryan and Logan Ryan-Bartone.

She will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with the family for visitation on Saturday, June 10, from 11-2, at the Thomas and Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick, RI. There will be a short Memorial Service to follow, starting at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA), 290 Turnpike Rd., Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA 01581 are greatly appreciated.

For information and condolences visit www.TheQuinnFuneralHome.com