Margaret Mary Ryan was born May 17, 1927 in Kansas City Missouri. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and to many of you, a friend for a lifetime.

Maggie was the eldest daughter of JC Ryan and Josephine Barrett. Along with her sister Kathy and her brother Barrett, she enjoyed an idyllic life during much of her youth, attending St Theresa’s Academy for the majority of her elementary and high school years. Maggie was initially enrolled at Kansas City University for two years while awaiting her younger sister Kathy’s graduation, as their father was only willing to consent to their wishes of attending school in Colorado on the condition they go together.

Shortly after arriving at CU in Boulder, she met Dave, who worked as a hasher at the Delta Gamma sorority house, serving meals and cleaning tables. Somehow this skinny Navy Vet from Omaha, whom we call Mr. Lucky, won the heart of Maggie who had been chosen as one of the Homecoming Queens earlier that fall, selected by none other than Bing Crosby.

They were married at Christmas time in 1948 and found themselves beginning their family and career life together with the JC Penny Mercantile Co. in beautiful Las Vegas, New Mexico, where daughters Peggy and Karen were born. The young family spent a few years in Twin Falls ID before making their way back to Denver. With the expected arrival of Kathleen, they decided to put down roots permanently. And after the birth of yours truly, they moved to the Pinehurst area in southwest Denver, a development of Dave’s employer. The following 25 years served to be a foundation for many of their longest lasting friendships.

Their children grew and grandchildren followed, all nine grandchildren arriving in a span of 10 years. Both Maggie and Dave devoted much of their time to attending countless recitals and sporting events, award ceremonies and graduations. All the grandchildren looked forward with great anticipation to their own week with Nana upon turning 8, and the annual family gatherings at the YMCA Camp in Estes Park.

A brief snapshot of her full and active life is encapsulated in the past several months; attending grandson James’ graduation in Hawaii, witnessing the marriage of granddaughter Elise to Jay, seeing her eldest granddaughter Laura obtain her doctorate, greeting grandson Matt and wife Sarah at Denver International Airport as they returned from two years in Africa serving with the Peace Corps, and organizing and celebrating daughter Peggy’s 60th birthday at the Broadmoor where she and Dave had spent several anniversaries and have many fond memories and friendships from their involvement with State and National Insurance associations.

Maggie’s life extended well beyond her family, serving numerous charities and participating in many social activities. Her charitable work included the Samaritan House, Denver Soup Kitchen, Colorado Alliance for the Mentally Ill and for over 40 years, the Anchor Center for Blind Children. For her devotion to these organizations and many more, King Soopers and The Denver Post recognized her as Volunteer of the Year in 1989.

Maggie’s life also was filled with many social activities, some of these groups lasting the majority of her life. Her sorority sisters, affectionately known as “The Flashers,” maintained a close relationship for over 60 years. Golf groups, bridge groups, Bible studies and book clubs were all an important part of her life.

We were blessed these past few weeks as Maggie became a great-grandmother to little Breanna Sycuro, and though in hospice and limited in her outwardly expression, she and Dave celebrated 60 years of marriage the day before she passed from this life to the next.

Though her condition came as a complete shock to all, and many tears were shed, it was also a very special time, a sacred time, to share our love for her and say our goodbyes. A woman of deep faith, our mother taught us about a loving and caring God, one whose love for us is unconditional, as was hers.