Obituary of Sr. Mary Johanna Ryan CSJ

SR. MARY JOHANNA RYAN CSJ Latham-Sister Mary Johanna Ryan, CSJ (Sister Roberta Ellen), 73, died Thursday, May 10, 2018, at The Hospice Inn, St. Peter's Hospital, Albany. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 54 years. Sister Mary Johanna was born on September 6, 1944, in Syracuse, daughter of the late Robert and Ella Spisak Ryan. After graduating from St. Patrick's High School, Syracuse, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph on August 6, 1964, and professed final vows on August 6, 1971. Sister Mary Johanna received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Russell Sage College and certification in enterostomal therapy from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. For 45 years, she served at St. Mary's Hospital/St. Mary's Healthcare, Amsterdam, as a staff nurse, director of Quality Assurance and Risk Management, enterostomal-therapy nurse, staff-development instructor, and nursing-application coordinator. In addition, Sister Mary Johanna served in the infirmary at St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham, as staff nurse and charge nurse. Sister Mary Johanna was a woman of faith who believed that the Gospel message must be put into practice for it to come alive. For nearly a half century, she ministered to the sick and dying, offering expert care with a healing hand, an empathetic ear and a compassionate heart. Whether she was caring for patients at St. Mary's, working on prayer shawls with CSJ Associates, sharing her considerable baking and crafting talents or visiting with family and friends, Sister Mary Johanna was warm, kind, respectful, generous, fun, and always a representative of God's reconciling love. She lived her life advocating for patients, families and staff and extending the healing of Christ to those in need. Sister Johanna's enduring legacy of the value and importance of the human connection in the healing process will serve to inspire others for years to come. Sister Mary Johanna is survived by her beloved brothers: Thomas, Daniel and Robert Ryan, all of Camillus; several cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and their families; many dear friends and colleagues, especially the St. Mary's Healthcare Family in Amsterdam; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister and brother, Martha Harwood and Michael Ryan. Sister Mary Johanna's Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. from the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Calling hours will be held at the Provincial House on Sunday, May 13 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Contributions in Sister Mary Johanna's memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. For information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.