Valley, NS September 11, 2024
Marguerite Ryan – Valley, formerly of Stellarton. On September 11, 2024, our dear mother Marguerite Ryan, passed away peacefully at her home in Valley, Colchester County, with family by her side.
Mom was the daughter of the late Urban and Gladys (McCormac) Pineau of New Glasgow/Prince Edward Island.
She is survived by sisters, Phyllis Pitts, Dartmouth; Miriam (Chebot) Cormier, Antigonish; brother, Winston (Mary) Pineau, Charlottetown, P.E.I.; sister-in-law (and childhood friend), Mary (Shepherd) Pineau, London, Ontario.
Marguerite is survived by her children, Rita Heighton, Stellarton; Jim (Shawn) Ryan, Pictou; Larry (Karen) Ryan, New Glasgow; daughter-in-law, Kathryn Gadd-Ryan, White Hill; Gerard (Gisele) Ryan, Antigonish; Edwin (Cathy) Ryan, Antigonish; Brenda (Stephanie Isenor-Ryan) Ryan, Valley; Adele (Richard) Kinley, Truro.
She is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren, Becky Heighton (Keigan & Jaelyn), Paul (Leah) Heighton (Ambrose & Briar), Andrew (Diane Ouimet) Heighton (Dominic, Ava, Pineau, & Monty), Angela (Dalton Sampson) Ryan, Cynthia (Scott Gooding) Ryan (Bridget), Steven (Kelly) Ryan (Angelina, Phoenix, Shawnn, & Flynn), Sylvia (Jason) Gappa (Katy & John), Christopher (Amanda) Ryan (Lucy & Anna), Jill (Kristin) Kirincihe (Maeve & Oren), Tyler (Susan Martin) Ryan, Jake (Kathryn) Ryan (Gabriel & Micah), Kevin (Laura) Ryan (Harrison & Thomas), David (Chelsea MacLeod) Ryan (Kyla, Callie, & Kavin), Josie Ryan, John (Renee) Ryan (Westin & Hayden), Molly (Tim Morell) Ryan, Daniel (Vanessa Schiliro), Neal (Katelyn Dunn) Ryan, Madelyn Isenor-Ryan, Ryan (Sarah) Kinley.
Marguerite was predeceased by her husband, John M. Ryan; son, J. Martin Ryan; son-in-law, Amby Heighton; grandsons, Gordon and Jared Ryan; granddaughter, Allyson Kinley; granddaughter-in-law, Fleur Mainville; sisters, Aileen Perkins, Betty Pineau (age 4); brother, Douglas Pineau; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Perkins, Billy Pitts.
Marguerite’s greatest desire as a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother was to make sure everyone felt welcomed, loved, and experienced happiness within their lives. If there was anything she could do to enhance this, she was always willing to do so…whether it was serving biscuits and tea, co-piloting the car across the province to hockey games, taking carloads of kids on picnics and beach trips with a loaf of bread with peanut butter and Kool-Aid, or simply comforting us with her great hugs. She always ensured everyone felt welcomed in our home no matter what time they arrived or how long they stayed. Her greatest aspiration in life was to help her children to become "good" and committed family people.
Marguerite felt it was very important to recognize people’s special days and never missed giving out her birthday, anniversary, and Christmas cards to all her children and all their children…and their children's children. We will always remember the annual Ryan Christmas Party she hosted for family and extended family.
"I laughed so hard – Tears ran down my leg!"
This quote sums up the essence of Marguerite! Whatever was going on, she wanted to be in the thick of it and the more fun and laughter that could be had the better! She often said, "If you don’t want me to come along…then don’t invite me!" She never missed an opportunity to travel and some of her most cherished trips may have been the ones taken with her daughters and sisters visiting around Nova Scotia and south to Florida.
Marguerite dearly loved following her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to their many sporting and musical events near and far, as she was their biggest fan. We especially remember the "fake fur coat" that she wore to all the arenas when attending her kids' many hockey games while growing up.
Marguerite and John enjoyed travelling to their home in Florida during the winter months where they had many good times "shuffling," shopping (while John was on the golf course), and playing cards with the great friends they spent time with while there.
Marguerite was a long-term employee of the Royal Bank of Canada in Stellarton from where she retired 30+ years ago having made many cherished memories and life-long friends. In her early years she enjoyed curling and later, while living in Valley, she was a member of Cobequid Lawn Bowls Club, having participated in the 55+ Senior Games in Truro. She loved watching all sports on TV (especially the household favourite NHL team - Go Leafs Go) and all gameshows.
A final message from her to her family and friends was "know that I just loved you all so very much."
We can’t thank the caregivers (including family members and folks from VON, Earth Angels, and the Community Palliative Care Team) enough who supported Marguerite during her final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.
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