Margaret Mary Ryan
elevated BvZEi June 1, 1938 – October 6, 2025
elevated BvZEi Visitation
Friday, October 17, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Assumption Catholic Funeral Home Chapel
6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4
elevated BvZEi Funeral Service
Friday, October 17, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
Assumption Catholic Funeral Home Chapel
6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4
elevated BvZEi Cremation
Assumption Catholic Cemetery
6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4
Oh Maggie as I called her, she was such a sweet and lovely woman. She love everyone and always pray. May her gentle soul rest well. I will miss u dearly
Margaret was a wonderful lady who will be missed terribly by all who knew her. Our deepest sympathies go out to Renee, AJ and the entire family on their loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Ama as I sometimes called you, even in your weakest stay you love everyone, especially your late husband, your lovely daughter and her husband Jaga. Every morning during your care these are the people you will ask of till you daughter comes in. May the God Lord bless your daughter so much because she was the best ever, make sure you had the best care and was always there for us. Even when she is on vacation, she will call almost every hour to make sure mum is good. Ama rest well and I no you are in heaven
Renee, Jagger and her family God bless u for the love and care. Maggie rest well till we meet again 😭
Ma, Oh Dear Ma.
A person, so caring
So comforting,
Unforgettable, etched timelessly in my mind.
I see you, hear you and feel your presence in my heart
With every passing hour.
Life is but a flutter in the throes of time,
They say.
Short lived, brief.
Call it what you may,
The memory lingers.
She is there;
Always will be;
A part of me.
Now,
Gone.
My Ma
Darling Ma
Words can’t quite express the surging emotions that crowd my heart and mind.
You gave me life, nurtured me, raised me, kissed me, held me, hugged me, shouted at me, scolded me, taught me what was right and wrong, but most importantly, loved me unconditionally.
You have always stood by me with a faith that never wavered and
cheered louder than anyone at every step of the way. You were a source of wisdom and encouragement throughout my growing years and as an adult. You are the heart and soul of our family. And the glue that keeps us together.
My mother is a woman like no other.
Simple and wholehearted.
She served the Lord in every way possible.
All who crossed her path, be it family, friend, church member, work associate, a beggar on the roadside, or even an injured bird, she extended a caring and helping hand.
She was humble to the very end. ‘Sorry’ was never too far away from her lips.
A quiet and retiring spirit, she was easily moved by the suffering and distressed world and was never afraid to shed a tear.
I have never in all my life heard her speak a rude word or witnessed even a hint of gossip drop from her lips. She always spoke well of everyone. So hard to find. A GEM on a sandy shore. She was truly beautiful.
Inside out.
Her mother passed away when she was a month old. She was brought up by her paternal grandparents until she was 12.
If today, I miss her when I am 65, I can imagine her pain and loss growing up without a mother at her side.
Despite those tragic circumstances, she grew up cheerful and positive-minded. Her sense of humor never deserted her in the most trying times.
Losing her leaves behind sorrow and ache in our hearts, but a vision to look to and emulate. For this is what she taught me. I will forever remember the good times we had together, the laughter, the bonding and the joy of everyday life. Her legacy will carry on through us, her daughters and grandchildren.
As you rest in the embrace of our Eternal Lord and Savior, Jesus
I say,
Adieu, dear ma, for this is our Christian hope.
We shall meet again in the Lord.
John 16:22: In this verse, Jesus reassures his disciples, ( ma, and us)”…I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy”.
AMEN
Maggie Aunty was always vivacious and welcoming in stark contrast to Julian Uncle who was a man of few words.
We were fortunate enough to meet Aunty briefly at the Chennai Airport in 2022. Though she couldn’t speak but she smiled at us and we were touched.
Aunty’s passing would have shattered my cousins Renee and Rosie and we pray that the good Lord gives them the courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Rest in Peace dear Aunty. We will miss you.
Vino & Dhany
Renee, I’m sorry for your loss. Your mother was truly blessed to have such a loving and attentive daughter. I will miss seeing you at Wellbrook.
Angela,
Thank you for reaching out and offering your condolences. A touching gesture, and I am very grateful.
I miss seeing you and JoAnne. Best wishes.
Dear Renee, Rosie and family,
We were so blessed to meet your mum, although briefly and be present at her funeral service.
May she rest in peace. Her memories live on forever.
Jackie & Rudy, Juanita, Jude Ryan and families.
Happy to have seen Maggie aunty last May. She couldn’t recognize me then but was so lovely to see her so well taken care of by Renee & Rosy.
Praying for your Heavenly Peave & Light , Maggie aunty.
And love & hugs to you both Renee & Rosie
We gather, today, at Assumption Catholic Cemetry Chapel not just to mourn the loss of our beloved mother -my beautiful mother – Margaret Mary, but to celebrate her life, whose profound love and grace touched the hearts of all who knew her.
Having faced the loss of her mother Rose Maria as an infant, she navigated life’s challenges with remarkable resilience, particularly during the loss of her husband Julian and her own battle with dementia.
In the midst of her disability, Margaret still called out to the Lord, her voice echoing with a deep-seated faith. Her favorite scripture, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” resonated within her, a comforting reminder of her spiritual anchor even as her memories faded.
My mother embodied the essence of nurturing; it was an instinctive part of who she is. She fiercely protected her family and would sacrifice anything for loved ones. This unwavering dedication has been a defining trait throughout her life.
I remember Mom as a lively, outgoing, resourceful young woman. With a gentle spirit and remarkable strength, she brightened our lives with her warm smile and nurturing presence, transforming our home into a haven of giggles and joy. My sister and I were her most prized family, next only to her husband, my late father Julian.
The memories of her legendary Sunday lunches and her aunt’s coconut fudge recipe will forever remind us of the comfort she brought to our kitchen. Even now, it’s difficult to replicate Mom’s delectable Mutton White Korma.
As a devoted high school teacher for over twenty years at Rosary Matriculation in Madras, she inspired countless students, turning education into an exhilarating adventure filled with creativity. Her students still recall on Facebook how she made learning an adventure, turning science into experiments and english language into role playing skills.
Even after retirement, her commitment to teaching persisted as she volunteered to provide pro-bono evening classes for underprivileged children at Holy Cross parish church, Madras.
Her greatest joy came from being a grandmother to Nik, Arun, Rohan, and Sanjana, never missing a chance to spend time and to play with them when they were young children. She was blessed to have been able to have a relationship with her great grandchildren Aiden, Selina and Tara, and was also able to meet Maya, Arin and Delilah.
Mom supported us in any way she could, even assisting with the upbringing of our children when necessary. Mom made a phenomenal grandmother.
My mother enjoyed spending her free time tending to an exquisite garden because she had her way with plants. With her touch, flowers just began to bloom as a testament to her nurturing spirit.
Though we feel the deep ache of her absence, we take solace in the enduring legacy of love, values, and inspiration she leaves behind in the lives she touched.
Mom, you will forever be my guiding star. Rest peacefully.
May your beautiful soul rest in peace, Mrs. Ryan.
For the little times we spent together, there always seem to be that bond. We made easy conversations & I must say I am blessed to have know you.
Your beauty, determination & independence spoke so much to me, at a lady your age. When we say “age is just a number”; you actually proved to me “it really just is”
I will always remember you & your beautiful smile.
You will certainly be missed my darling Mrs. Ryan. Rest in peace.
Dear Maggie aunty
As we wish you goodbye there is a rush of memories. Vignettes of time spent at the Nandanam house during our summer holidays at stopovers on our way to Crawford.
I remember:
Your quiet presence and pleasant smile.
Quiet conversations at dusk sitting outside the house when you recounted your orphaned childhood and other stories.
Your cooking and your recipes. Your culinary skills are legendary. I still use your suggestions in my cooking
We wish you good bye with heavy hearts and minds full of memories of the past
The Lord be with you and may you rest in peace.
Dear Renee & Rosie
Mummy ( her sister in law, Jane) joins me in sending our heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your dear mother, Maggie.
If love alone could have saved her you can both rest assured that she would still be here as there is ample proof of your totally devoted care.
The consolation is that she must have been welcomed in the next world by her mother and her devoted husband and all her other dear ones waiting for her.
“We never lose those we give to God”
(St Augustine)
Thank you Nimi and Jane Aunty.
Dear Maggie Granny, Prayers for your soul. I have visited you twice in recent years and I still remember the calm smile in your eyes. Rest in peace. Condolences to Renee aunty and Rosie aunty and your grandchildren.
Dear Renee Aunty & Family, we are deeply sorry for your loss of your beloved Mom.
A mother’s love is one of life’s greatest blessings; so gentle, wise, and unconditional. Her warmth and memories will live on forever in your heart.
May you find comfort in knowing she’s at peace and her spirit continues to guide and love you always.
May Margaret Granny’s soul rest in peace in Christ.
Heartiest condolences from Wilfred, Jennifer, Isabella & Yessica.
A Eulogy for Margaret Ryan:
On behalf of the Ryan family, we warmly welcome everyone to this solemn ceremony marking Margaret’s passage from this life to the next.
Here with us today are both of Margaret’s daughters, my wife, Renee; her sister, Rosie, and her husband, Jayant; all four grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren—although only one of them could join us today.
I have had the privilege of knowing, and being a part of, the life of an extraordinary woman—my mother-in-law—for over forty-five years. By a remarkable coincidence, she was also a lifelong friend and school & university mate of my oldest sister, Sister Celine of the Salesian Order of Nuns. Few know that Margaret lost her own mother when she was barely a month old and that she was raised in a happy home by her grandparents and unmarried aunts.
Over the decades, Margaret became far more than my mother-in-law; she was a guiding presence, a source of quiet uncommon wisdom, and sensible advice; a cornerstone for our family. Her genuine warmth made everyone around her feel valued and welcome. In a world filled with noise, she was a rare gift—a very patient listener and a determined doer.
Margaret graduated with a bachelors degree in English and Biology from Madras University, later earning another bachelors degree in Education. She taught high school students both subjects in a much sought after Catholic school in Madras until retirement. She later volunteered to teach underprivileged children in evening classes at her parish church hall in Chennai, invariably purchasing teaching aids and other materials herself.
In these past three to four challenging years, she faced her illness with remarkable strength and quiet dignity. Though her body grew weak, her spirit never wavered. Through every setback and many long nights, she remained gracious and grateful—a true reflection of her lifelong character. She often confided to Renee that she didn’t fully understand what was happening to her, and why! It was very painful to imagine what she was going through.
Margaret carried in her heart a quiet longing for her beloved husband of forty-eight years, Julian Ambrose Ryan, who passed away twenty years ago. We could see how deeply she missed him every day. Their bond was strong and enduring, and there is comfort in knowing they are now reunited in peace.
I want to take a moment to honour my wife, Margaret’s older daughter Renee, who with boundless love and singleminded devotion, became her mother’s main caregiver. Even after Margaret moved to Wellbrook Place, Renee visited her daily—through rain, slush, ice, or snow—to spend the entire day with her, making sure she was comfortable. All that while enduring the pain of a debilitating illness herself. The compassion and exemplary patience she showed were acts of love that honoured both Margaret’s life and the values she instilled.
Margaret’s greatest joy in later years came from her grandchildren, and even more so, great-grandchildren. Her face would light up whenever they entered her room or called her name, taking immense pride in their achievements, big and small. Our first grandchild, inexplicably, called her “Grand-Am,” reminiscent of a Grand Dame. The nickname stuck, and she became their beloved Grand Dame. Truth be told, her oldest great-grandson and his slightly younger first cousin—our granddaughter—often slipped into her room thinking she was sleeping, which she wasn’t, to surreptitiously rummage through her bedside table for cookies and crackers!
Margaret was a remarkably brave and resourceful woman. She came to Canada as a permanent resident in 2012, at the age of seventy four, and lived independently in a condo near Square One for three years, fully managing grocery shopping, medications and other routine daily tasks before beginning longer overseas visits.
She later moved in with us when we returned to Canada in 2017. Margaret became a proud Canadian citizen exactly two years ago, & because of her illness she was solely administered her oath by a citizenship judge. She was very proud Canadian citizen from that day on!
Her presence at home brought laughter that echoed through the rooms and stories that warmed our hearts. Even when illness made cooking difficult, she never failed to encourage us to stay close as a family, sharing joy and kindness as she always had.
Margaret leaves behind a legacy woven through the lives she touched—her kindness, her sense of humour, her unwavering honesty, and her deep faith in family. Though she is no longer with us, those qualities live on in all of us fortunate enough to have known her. She knew our neighbours well, once even surprising them at breakfast. I therefore specially thank Andree and Steve for joining us here today.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Father Terry Dias, Pastor of St. Dominic’s Parish, who generously took time on a busy Sunday between Masses to urgently visit Wellbrook and administer the Sacrament of the Sick and Holy Communion to Margaret, just a few short hours before she peacefully passed that night. That meant a great deal to all of us. We are also deeply grateful to Father Dias for leading today’s funeral service.
A special thanks also goes to the caregivers at Wellbrook Place. Some of them went above and beyond in offering loving care. Anita and Maria are here today representing them. We deeply appreciate your devotion to Margaret.
Today we mourn, but tomorrow we will smile as we also give thanks—thanks for Margaret’s love, her lessons, and her life. As we celebrate her time on Earth, we take comfort knowing she rests in peace, free from suffering, reunited with the birth mother she never knew except through photographs, and with her beloved Julian Ambrose Ryan, surrounded by the profound love she nurtured throughout her life.
May Margaret always rest in peace
A Tribute to Our Grandmother:
Mummum is what us grandchildren called her. She was the loving grandmother to us 4 – Nik, Arun, Rohan and me, Sanjana. I am her youngest grandchild and only granddaughter. My mother told me that the day I was born, Mummum was so excited for a granddaughter that she carried and danced around with me for hours. I of course was so delighted by this that I refused to be set down, and insisted on being carried and danced around with all the time. This was just the first of the countless things Mummum has done for me.
Some of my fondest childhood memories were visiting her in Bangalore for the best summer and Christmas vacations. Mummum would make the tastiest food that even a picky-eater like me would enjoy, and she would feed it to me while telling me made up stories until the plate was empty and my belly was full. Mummum was very knowledgeable about all things science, especially plants and kept the most luscious and vibrant garden. She was my first science teacher showing me all the plants in the garden, teaching me their names and different parts. More recently, Mummum was a great embracer of technology. She was given the loving nickname “iPad granny” because she was never far from her iPad that she used to keep up with current events, her emails, and the occasional funny cat video.
Anybody that knows Mummum well knows that she showed her love in the quirkiest and most wonderful of ways. She made up songs and dances, pulled funny faces, and never hesitated to be silly — especially if it meant making us laugh when we were sad or grumpy. She was bold, loud, eccentric, and never shy about how deeply she loved us. This trait didn’t just stay with her – it lives on through her children, and now her grandchildren, but I will say she was the original who definitely did it best.
Mummum was always so proud of all her grandchildren and going on and on about all of our accomplishments to anyone that listened. From signing the “Blackberry Boys’ song whenever she saw Rohan, or going on about how Nik reminded her of Thatha, a man she deeply respected, or about how proud of Arun she was for pursuing science in university, she really loved bragging about us grandchildren.
Now I am grown and when I reflect back, I think I speak for my brother and my cousins as well when I say we have all been so fortunate to have had Mummum in our lives as long as we did. Mummum, we will miss you dearly. We hope you are now happily reunited with Thatha, and resting in peace. Until we meet again.
Dear Renee and dear Rosie ,
Last few days my thoughts have been with you both . Parting is painful and the final farewell is devastating .
Remembering the happy times spent with Maggie Aunty , her warmth and affection during our visits , all her childhood memories that she shared with us and the beautiful days Julian Uncle and Maggie Aunty spent together. They were a perfect match and made a lovely couple .
Aunty was very enterprising, hardworking and talented . I remember she had painted the front wall of the Nandanam house in brick form .
Her cooking skill was amazing .
Happy memories lessen the pain of the final parting . Time heals .
Assuring you of our continuing prayers for dear Aunty and for strength for you both to bear the irreparable loss .
Thank you for keeping us abreast with updates . We could share your feelings at every stage . .
God be with you .