Mary Ryan

Mary G. Ryan, 92, of Norwich, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2015 at Chenango Memorial Hospital. Born February 20, 1922 in Norwich, Mary was the daughter of the late Paul and Katherine (McMahon) Welch.
At a very early age, Mary began working for her father at Welch’s Food Market and ultimately co-operated the Welch-Ryan Grocery Store on Division Street in Norwich. Mary graduated with honors from Norwich High School with the Class of 1939 and in 1941 married Thomas W. Ryan. She attended Ridley Lowell Business School which prepped her for a long career, starting as a secretary with Victory Markets; Office Manager with Bennett Ireland; and Office Manager for the legal department of the Norwich Eaton Pharmaceutical Company/Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals. After retiring from P&G in the late 1980’s, she entered the work force three more times before deciding to retire permanently.
Over the years, Mary participated in a variety of community oriented activities, including the Business Professional Women’s Organization as an officer, the National Secretary’s Association, Catholic Charities, Chenango Memorial Hospital volunteers, St. Paul’s Mother’s Club, the Altar & Rosary Society of St. Paul’s, and Hospice. She also served as the historian for St. Paul’s Church in the 1980s.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Thomas, in 1980 and her two brothers, Richard and Gerald Welch. She is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Katherine (Frank/Ted) Revoir and Virginia (James) Edwards; her six grandchildren: Frank (Edith) Revoir Jr.; Thomas (Leona) Revoir; Ryan Revoir; Kurt (Mary Carol) Edwards; Victoria McElligot; and James (Christine) Edwards; and her fourteen great-grandchildren: Noah, Rife, Riley and, Nate Revoir, Alexis Polcare, Jameson Revoir, Keegan, Casey, Kyle and Cameron Edwards, Chloe and Darcy McElligot as well as Houston and Mason Edwards.
A Mass of the Christian Burial for Mary will be held on Friday, January 9th, at 11am, at St. Paul’s Church, in Norwich. Burial will take place in the spring in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home, on Thursday, January 8th, from 4pm to 8pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Family School, the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choosing.
Pursuant to Mary’s last wishes, a true old-fashioned Irish musical celebration and luncheon will be held for family and friends immediately following the funeral at the American Legion, Sheldon Street, Norwich, hosted by Mary’s favorite family band - The Ryan Clan.