Book lover Renee had a talent for dress making
CATHERINE (Renee) Ryan, mother of Councillor John Ryan, passed away last month in the loving care of Eyrefield Nursing home where she lived for the last seven years.
Born Catherine Maundsley on June 21, 1924 (Mid Summers Day) in Cabra, Navan Road in Dublin, Renee, as she was best known, had a promising career working in O’Reillys printers followed by a spell in the Vocational Education Committee ( VEC).
She had many hobbies growing up but it was after time spent in the Grafton Academy that her love of dressmaking developed. She discovered a great talent and was always surrounded by patterns for christening robes to wedding dresses. She also had a real talent as a pianist.
In 1955 in Aughrim Street Church, she married her true love, Jackie Ryan originally from Dock Terrace, who was best known for the factory he owned in Duncairn Terrace making musical souvenirs.
They raised six children from their home on the Meath Road. She also took great joy from her 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren
She was well known for ‘flying around the town’ doing her daily shopping after Mass in the Holy Redeemer – she had an energy level that few could match! And she wasn’t afraid to try new things including playing bridge with the Bray active retirement group and continually trying to learn to swim with her friends.
She had a voracious appetite for reading with her favourites being family sagas, which is fitting as family life is what interested her most – and that is where she expended most of her love.
Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Christopher Fox, said last week at a district meeting that there was great sadness at the passing of John’s mother Renee.
‘Our deepest sympathies on your sad loss,’ he said to Cllr Ryan. Members held a moment of silence in her memory.
Renee will be missed by her children Clare, Nuala, Fergus, Fiona, Maeve and John. Her funeral took place at the Church of the most Holy Redeemer on Bray’s Main Street before burial at Sprinfield Cemetery. May she rest in peace.