RYAN, M. EILEEN
January 8, 1955 – April 20, 2015
M. Eileen Ryan was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, the daughter of the late Honourable Justice Henry E. Ryan and M. Catherine (Boyle) Ryan.
She is survived by her husband, the Honourable Justice Terrence J. Morrison, sons David (Halifax) and Gregory (Montreal) and several sisters and brothers. Sincere gratitude is extended to her sisters Ellen (Richard F. Sullivan), Mary Alice (Donald A. MacLeod) and Elizabeth (John K. F. Irving) for their loving care, support and devotion. Eileen is also survived by her brother-in-law, Blaine (Joanne) Morrison, close nieces and nephews, great-nephews, several cousins and many good friends. She was predeceased by her parents, her in-laws, the late Angus James Morrison and Mary Lorraine (Clark) Morrison, and brother-in-law, Donald M. Morrison. Eileen was a special niece to the late Honourable Justice William F. Ryan.
Eileen received her elementary and secondary schooling in Saint John. She was a graduate of the University of New Brunswick where she received her Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and Anthropology) in 1977, Carleton University, where she was granted a Masters of Public Administration in 1979 and the Faculty of Law, University of New Brunswick, where she received her LLB in 1982.
Admitted to the Law Society of New Brunswick in 1983, Eileen had been a practicing member of the society for 32 years. She served on the Council of the Law Society on two separate occasions and served as a member of the Competence Committee from 2009 until her death. She was also a member of the Canadian Bar Association where she was active in the Administrative Law Sub-Committee of the New Brunswick Branch.
Eileen grew up in the company of lawyers with her grandfather William M. Ryan, K.C., M.P., father, mother, uncle and husband, all respected members of the New Brunswick law fraternity. Eileen specialized in labour and employment law and worked as a Labour Relations Officer and Legal Counsel with the New Brunswick Nurses Union for 32 years, proudly representing nurses in labour and administrative proceedings. Eileen also contributed to legal education for over 20 years as a lecturer at the University of New Brunswick for the Faculty of Law and the Departments of Political Science and Business Administration.
Active in the community, Eileen had been especially committed to St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church where she served as Chair of the Parish Council and a member of the Finance Committee. At the former St. Dunstan’s School, she was President of the Home and School Association and served on the Parent School Committee. She was a dedicated blood donor for the Canadian Red Cross throughout her life and was active in the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
Eileen was very proud of her two sons and took a keen interest in the lives of her close nieces and nephews. Education and scholarship were very important to Eileen. She was an avid reader who enjoyed an eclectic and varied range of reading materials.
Eileen, Terry, David and Gregory greatly appreciate the support and kindnesses of family and friends, especially the many notes, letters and gifts received. They are especially grateful for the support of Father Bill Brennan and Father Gerry White. The family would also like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital for their care and compassion. A special thank you is extended to Dr. Tom Barry, Dr. Debra Gowan, Dr. Karyn Broad, Dr. Ghadeer Anan, the nurses and staff of the Oncology Department and the Extra Mural Health nurses who cared for Eileen.
Visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home, 160 York Street, Fredericton (458-9170) from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church, 120 Regent Street, Fredericton on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 12:05 p.m. Concelebrants will be Father Bill Brennan and Father Gerry White.
The family would appreciate in lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations be directed to the “Honourable William F. Ryan Scholarship” in the Faculty of Law at the University of New Brunswick, Development Office, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A5 (506-453-5053 or www.unb.ca/donations) or a charity of the donor’s choice.