Obituary for Theresa R. Ryan
Theresa R. Ryan
January 20, 1951 - February 4, 2022
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
Compassionate Jesus and Dear Mother Mary, I remember your gentle invitation to “come and be refreshed.” I bring you now all my worries, fears, needs and doubts – and those of the world. I entrust to you my loved ones, both living and deceased. Enfold us all in our love, now and forever. Amen.
Theresa R. Ryan was born to WWII USAAC veteran Robert Stolpa & Josephine Rovitti at Horace Harding Hospital in Queens, NY. Her mother told a story of Baby Theresa being a strong and feisty premie baby who once tried to crawl out of the yard and into oncoming traffic of their barrack housing for WWII Veterans with a big yard! She was unscathed and unaware of the danger. This baby would grow up to be a survivor and fighter beating every obstacle thrown her way, against all odds. From there, they moved to the Queens projects, finally moving and settling on St. Theresa Avenue in Pelham Bay, NY. She attended Rose E. Scala P.S. 71 and later St. Helena Commercial H.S. where she was influenced by a nun who taught business courses – “a secretary will always be needed.” – and she certainly would be! In 1969, she married her teenage sweetheart Charles F. Ryan and they had a “wonderful baby girl” Rosemary in 1970 named after all the Roses & Marys in the family. Theresa loved being mom, wife, daughter and a worker – she became an office manager, worked in the graphic arts and security departments of NYBG and eventually found her niche in construction – as an insurance risk manager, executive personal assistant and office manager for some of the best companies with longevity: Port Morris Tile & Marble, Petrillo Stone Corp., CNY Builders in the fashion district and her second job, a long-time employee of The Larchmont Shore Club’s front desk, working weekend nights and holidays with her daughter. While she was an amazing career woman, she spent her free time with her daughter & her dog at the beach, fixing up her home, watching fun movies like “Moonstruck”, Young and the Restless and Bold and the Beautiful, enjoying her yard with family, her dad and friends. Anyone who knew Theresa knew her daughter/her friends and vice-versa. A mother in the Italian tradition, she was a fantastic cook who enjoyed entertaining and a good party! A funny sweet kind soul, an amazingly selfless generous mom, great personality, forgiveness for everyone and most people’s favorite person. Theresa had a unique style of strong faith, calm/cool/collected, perseverance and just being an overall lighthearted, down to earth, happy go lucky, a silly yet mature and organized lady who made everything easier. She took pride in her daughter’s art shows, doing her own home repairs, renovations, yard work, set up complicated health insurances, a great confidant/advisor. She enjoyed playing her guitar, chatting with friends, calling Paul for advice and a good laugh, singing, dancing, sappy 80s love songs, working, dressing up for holidays, Halloween, setting up Christmas lights around the house, cooking, good rock music & being a mom and your friends! When she had radiation, they would ask her what music she liked and would say, “Do you have Pink Floyd?” She had been bearing the cross of breast cancer since 1995 with success and years of remission until her recent new stronger treatment round that was debilitating. She said, “doctors don’t control my life, Jesus does.” Though she had a great rapport/friendship with Dr. Kevin who was fascinated by the longevity of her case and success of treatments. She defied the odds by 8 years vs. the typical 3-5. She said she would always retire in Long Island. When the Lord called her home, it was her wish to be in her own home/bed with her little dog by her side and her daughter holding her hand; she never complained nor wanted any pain medication. She said she was looking forward to going to work for Jesus now and be reunited with her first love, her late husband Chan (Charles F. Ryan, Jr.) in heaven. She made sure her child had everything she needed, she “earned” her daughter a scholarship to college through praying the rosary, praying to stay alive long enough to take care of everyone and accomplishing her goals. She was a Notary Public, Signing Agent, OSHA Certified Insurance Risk Manager and FEMA grants writer. Theresa would say, “if somebody tells me I can’t do it, now I know I will.” The epitome of an amazing mother, wife, friend, daughter, worker, and unconditional love. And, we love you, Mamma.
January 20, 1951 - February 4, 2022
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
Compassionate Jesus and Dear Mother Mary, I remember your gentle invitation to “come and be refreshed.” I bring you now all my worries, fears, needs and doubts – and those of the world. I entrust to you my loved ones, both living and deceased. Enfold us all in our love, now and forever. Amen.
Theresa R. Ryan was born to WWII USAAC veteran Robert Stolpa & Josephine Rovitti at Horace Harding Hospital in Queens, NY. Her mother told a story of Baby Theresa being a strong and feisty premie baby who once tried to crawl out of the yard and into oncoming traffic of their barrack housing for WWII Veterans with a big yard! She was unscathed and unaware of the danger. This baby would grow up to be a survivor and fighter beating every obstacle thrown her way, against all odds. From there, they moved to the Queens projects, finally moving and settling on St. Theresa Avenue in Pelham Bay, NY. She attended Rose E. Scala P.S. 71 and later St. Helena Commercial H.S. where she was influenced by a nun who taught business courses – “a secretary will always be needed.” – and she certainly would be! In 1969, she married her teenage sweetheart Charles F. Ryan and they had a “wonderful baby girl” Rosemary in 1970 named after all the Roses & Marys in the family. Theresa loved being mom, wife, daughter and a worker – she became an office manager, worked in the graphic arts and security departments of NYBG and eventually found her niche in construction – as an insurance risk manager, executive personal assistant and office manager for some of the best companies with longevity: Port Morris Tile & Marble, Petrillo Stone Corp., CNY Builders in the fashion district and her second job, a long-time employee of The Larchmont Shore Club’s front desk, working weekend nights and holidays with her daughter. While she was an amazing career woman, she spent her free time with her daughter & her dog at the beach, fixing up her home, watching fun movies like “Moonstruck”, Young and the Restless and Bold and the Beautiful, enjoying her yard with family, her dad and friends. Anyone who knew Theresa knew her daughter/her friends and vice-versa. A mother in the Italian tradition, she was a fantastic cook who enjoyed entertaining and a good party! A funny sweet kind soul, an amazingly selfless generous mom, great personality, forgiveness for everyone and most people’s favorite person. Theresa had a unique style of strong faith, calm/cool/collected, perseverance and just being an overall lighthearted, down to earth, happy go lucky, a silly yet mature and organized lady who made everything easier. She took pride in her daughter’s art shows, doing her own home repairs, renovations, yard work, set up complicated health insurances, a great confidant/advisor. She enjoyed playing her guitar, chatting with friends, calling Paul for advice and a good laugh, singing, dancing, sappy 80s love songs, working, dressing up for holidays, Halloween, setting up Christmas lights around the house, cooking, good rock music & being a mom and your friends! When she had radiation, they would ask her what music she liked and would say, “Do you have Pink Floyd?” She had been bearing the cross of breast cancer since 1995 with success and years of remission until her recent new stronger treatment round that was debilitating. She said, “doctors don’t control my life, Jesus does.” Though she had a great rapport/friendship with Dr. Kevin who was fascinated by the longevity of her case and success of treatments. She defied the odds by 8 years vs. the typical 3-5. She said she would always retire in Long Island. When the Lord called her home, it was her wish to be in her own home/bed with her little dog by her side and her daughter holding her hand; she never complained nor wanted any pain medication. She said she was looking forward to going to work for Jesus now and be reunited with her first love, her late husband Chan (Charles F. Ryan, Jr.) in heaven. She made sure her child had everything she needed, she “earned” her daughter a scholarship to college through praying the rosary, praying to stay alive long enough to take care of everyone and accomplishing her goals. She was a Notary Public, Signing Agent, OSHA Certified Insurance Risk Manager and FEMA grants writer. Theresa would say, “if somebody tells me I can’t do it, now I know I will.” The epitome of an amazing mother, wife, friend, daughter, worker, and unconditional love. And, we love you, Mamma.