RYAN, DORIS ELLEN (GOODINE) - (1925-2011) - Known for her elegant, soft-spoken, cheerful, and loving way, Doris was always ready to laugh and look on the bright side. Born May 11th, 1925 in Springhill, NB to Mary Ellen O’Hara of Stanley, NB and John Michael Goodine of Hanwell, NB, Doris enjoyed her close-knit family of two brothers: Dr. Ray Goodine (deceased) and Ron Goodine (Doreen) (now in St. Stephen, NB) and four sisters: Thelma (deceased and husband Hayden Monahan, deceased), Barbara (Bill Rowan), Phyllis (Earl Mitton, deceased) (all in Fredericton, NB), and Loretta (Leroy Washburn) in Oromocto, NB. They called her “Dode” and happily teased her about not keeping up with them, but it was only after moving to Toronto in 1948 and marrying her one great love, John (Jack) Matthew Ryan (from Boiestown and Tracadie, NB) on February 26, 1949 in Toronto that Doris was found to have been born with holes in her heart. No wonder she couldn’t always keep up. She made medical journals with two different ground-breaking heart surgeries and had the child, John Walter Ryan (Penny McLeod) (now living in Whistler, BC) that doctors advised against because of her delicate heart condition. Doris was obviously a very determined and resilient lady as she enjoyed not only being a wife and mother but had an active life of working, playing bridge, curling, entertaining friends and family, going to church, dressing impeccably, keeping an immaculate house, ironing (often while enjoying a nice cold beer), going to the hair salon, making amazing pies and pistachio desserts, not getting her face wet but trying to learn to swim, never ever complaining and always sharing her lovely infectious smile with everyone. Although Jack and Doris lived in the Mississauga area for most of their married lives, they loved visiting their siblings and their many nieces and nephews in New Brunswick and their son in B.C. They made frequent driving trips to Florida to meet up with family as well. They became Grandparents when their grandchild (Janel Ryan) was born in the summer of 2004 and were very delighted by that. As fate would have it Doris lost her beloved Jack in October of 2004 to a massive stroke and not only Macular Degeneration, but Alzheimer’s began closing in on Doris soon after. Although she had a wonderful group of friends in Ontario, it became important to have her family close again, so Doris moved back to Fredericton in July of 2006. She spent her last years at York Manor (Fredericton) with her sisters coming by for regular visits and with the most loving and professional care from the center’s amazing staff. Doris passed away surrounded by family at 86 years old on July 8th, 2011, after lingering long enough for her son’s final visit and 50 years to the day that she had given life to him. It was completely “Divine”…just like Doris.
For people wishing to honour Doris, please make donations to the “Alzheimer’s Society of Canada” or to “York Manor, Fredericton, NB”.
There will be no visitation by request. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 12th, 2011 at 12:00 noon at St. Dunstan's Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Gerry White as celebrant. Interment will take place in the Hermitage Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAdam's Funeral Home, 160 York Street, Fredericton, NB. www.mcadamsfh.com