Rosemary Esther Ryan

Rosemary Esther Ryan

Passed peacefully after a brief illness at Spencer House Long Term Care, Orillia, Ontario on Sunday August 3, 2025 just weeks before her 97th birthday.

Rosemary was born in Toronto on August 28, 1928 to Mary and John Ryan and was the eldest sister to Shirley (Aldo), Beverley (Pete) and Leonard (Elizabeth). She outlived all of her siblings and their spouses and is fondly remembered by her many nieces, nephews and their families and cousin, Catherine O’Neill and family.

Rosemary began her career in 1943 at the age of 14 at Bell Canada. She often referred to herself as a “Pioneer” at Bell having experienced and worked on the many telecommunication innovations throughout her 40 year career. In 1983, Rosemary retired to begin the next chapter of her life.

Rosemary lived with her Aunt, Rita O’Neill, and together, they worked at Bell Canada. As well, they travelled to many world destinations including the Vatican in Rome, Ireland, London, Las Vegas, New York, New Orleans, Florida and Hawaii as well as taking many luxurious cruises to various Caribbean Islands.

Rosemary and her Aunt Rita were avid bridge players and they also enjoyed the horse races with friends from Woodbine Race Track in Toronto and even when they visited Ireland! Rosemary and Rita enjoyed entertaining friends and family at their home in Toronto and at their Lake Simcoe cottage every summer. Rosemary was an active member and Lector at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church (Toronto) and after her retirement from Bell, she enjoyed volunteering at the Toronto General Hospital assisting visitors in the Cardiology Department.

Rosemary had a quick wit and was very well read in world news and politics. It was not unusual to see stacks of previously read New York Times and the Globe and Mail newspapers, magazines, historical biographies and fictional detective/mystery books on every shelf or tabletop wherever she resided at the time. In her earlier years, she had an unrealized dream of going back to school to become a lawyer. Rosemary enjoyed speaking with anyone on topics ranging from historical events to politics but those close to her knew she had an affinity for the British Royal family and there was no debating her on that subject!

In her later years at her condominium, Rosemary often enjoyed getting a little dressed up, putting on her signature “Tropic Fusion” MAC lipstick, nails done to match in preparation for her lovely candle-lit dinners, with all of her finery, in the company of family or friends that visited her and she took great pride in baking desserts, especially for family holiday get-togethers, and her shortbread cookies and rum-soaked fruit cakes were a delicious Christmas tradition for many years!

Throughout her life living with her Aunt Rita, Rosemary enjoyed the company of her pet dogs, especially Irish Kerry Blue and Wheaten Terriers. Later, when any family members had dogs or cats as pets, she treated them all as if her own and she often seemed to prefer the company of pets more than small talk with humans!

In her later years, Rosemary began to feel the heartache of loss when her Aunt Rita died and then one after another, her siblings Shirley, Leonard, Beverley and their spouses passed among other family members as well. Her sisters, brother and their families were her “world” and although she had difficulty speaking of her feelings, she loved them all and her actions throughout the years reflected all she was unable to say. As years passed, she often wondered why she, being the eldest of her siblings, outlived them all. In her heart, she missed them and was left with just the pictures and memories of years gone by. In God’s plan for her, Rosemary was blessed to have 97 years of a full, productive and adventurous life. She is eternally at peace now with all of whom she loved and who passed on before her, both human and all of the furry pets she once adored.

The family of Rosemary would like to thank everyone in every department at Spencer House LTC in Orillia especially to the 2nd floor, Maple Lane Staff for their very attentive, empathetic and professional care of Rosemary in the last three years of her life. She passed peacefully and with dignity.

Rosemary’s legacy lives on in the lives she touched.

Funeral arrangements are with Mundell Funeral Home, 79 West Street North, Orillia. A graveside prayer service will be conducted at 11:00am on Friday August 8, 2025 at the Mount Hope Cemetery, 305 Erskine Avenue in Toronto, at the O’Neill family grave, Section 24, Block 248.

If desired and appreciated, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spencer House INC; for Alzheimer Resident Care or to a local pet shelter/rescue of your choice. Please make donations through the Mundell Funeral Home 705-325-2231

Messages of condolences welcomed at www.mundellfuneralhome.com