Obituary of Marita J Ryan

Marita Jane Ryan (nee Heminger), 87, of Poughkeepsie, New York, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2024.

Marita was born on February 9, 1937, to Ralph and Marie Heminger in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Marita was the fifth of seven children and the youngest girl of the family. 

In her youth, Marita spent time tending to her family's garden. She also attended many sporting events, including the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons basketball team and the General Electric Volts, a semi-pro baseball team at GE, where her father worked. 

At Central Catholic High School in Fort Wayne, Marita served as a member of the Daughters of Mary and was a reporter for the school newspaper. After graduating high school, Marita worked as a secretary for International Harvester. While working there, she met Thomas Ryan, who was attending college in the area. The two wed in Fort Wayne on August 23, 1958.

Marita made the biggest leap of all by moving to Poughkeepsie in 1959 after Tom secured a job with IBM. She raised six children in Poughkeepsie over the next several decades. While she was far from home, Marita found a niche in Poughkeepsie among the friends in her neighborhood and beyond. Among many other ventures, she ran a daycare out of her house and worked at another in her neighborhood. In her spare time, Martia participated in a bowling league and was a member of the Red Hat Society. 

Marita was also blessed with 12 grandchildren, attending countless concerts, recitals, and sporting events in which they participated. She frequently hosted her kids and grandkids at her house. In the summers, Marita and Tom’s house was regularly referred to as “Camp Grandma and Grandpa.” Marita’s always-welcoming home also hosted countless events, including birthdays, Christmases, Easter, graduation parties, and sleepovers. 

Marita was predeceased by her husband, Tom, and her siblings, Joanette, Carol, Thomas, and Michael. She is survived by her six children – Ann (William) Johnson, Mary (James) Guarnaccia, Thomas (Jennifer) Ryan, Terence (Sheri) Ryan, Michael (Mimi) Ryan, and Coleen (Ryan) Cunningham – 12 grandchildren – Mark, Matthew (Erica Treventi), Thomas Jay, Daniel (Jaqueline Brown), Fiona, Ava, Makayla, Anna, Sean, Patrick, Easter, and Charles, and one great grandchild, Eliana. Marita is also survived by her sister, Sally, and her brother, Patrick. 

Marita’s wake will be held at Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 2pm-5pm, with a mass of catholic burial held at St. Martin de Porres Church on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 9:30am. In order for Marita’s memorials  to reflect the vibrance of her life and personality, the family asks attendees to wear light colors or floral patterns instead of black.  In lieu of flowers, Marita’s family requests donations be made to Hudson Valley Hospice, and your local food pantry.