Mary Attracta (Burke) Ryan

Mary Attracta (née Burke) Ryan, age 93, of North Palm Beach, Florida, formerly of Hinsdale, Illinois, died peacefully on May 30, 2022, surrounded by her seven children. Mary joins Bill, her beloved husband and best friend of 64 years, and Jean Marie Ryan, their eighth child, in heaven. Preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Michael Burke. Devoted mother of Mary (Bob) Buddig, Bill Ryan, Mike (Carolyn) Ryan, Eileen (Scott) Seyfarth, Tom (Maura) Ryan, Therese (Mike) Rooney, and Donna (John) Coffey. Adoring Nonni of Sarah (Michael) Swanson, Jenny (Chris) Sizer, Erin, Margaret, and Bobby Buddig; Maggie (Anthony) Roti, CJ (Dana) Ryan, Steven Ryan, Kayleigh (Patrick) Kelly; Kristin (Phil) Nye, Kelly (Ryan) Downey, Jack, Annie, and Michael Ryan; Bill Seyfarth, Alison (Will) Feldman, Michele (James) CarMichael, Emily Seyfarth; Kate, Aileen, Maeve, Sean, and Eamon Ryan; Meghan, Nora, and Michael Rooney; Lauren, Grace, Colleen, Jillian, and Mary Coffey. Cherished Great-Grandmother of Michael and Charlie Swanson; Clare and Mary Kate Sizer; Avery, Dominic, and Mackenzie Roti; Riley and Patrick Nye; Liam and Olivia Feldman. Preceded in death by her siblings, Therese (Dennis) Beeforth, Nancy (Tom) Henry, Veronica Mattera, Joe (Kathleen) Burke, Noel (Ann) Burke. Survived by Mary (the late Frank) Burke, Bernie (the late Desmond) Lynch, Colette and Quaseem Blan, and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Burke was born in Chicago in 1928 and returned to Ireland at age 2. She was raised in a loving home in Cullonaughton, County Mayo. Mary had a love of learning, excelling in school and tutoring others. At age 18, Mary boarded the S.S. Marine Flasher for Ellis Island. From there, she moved to Chicago and lived with her Uncle Mike and Aunt Mary, working for the telephone company as a statistician. In 1957, Mary met the love of her life, Bill Ryan. They were married at Christ the King on February 8, 1958. Mary and Bill had eight children, the youngest being Jean Marie Ryan, who passed away in 1972 at Misericordia Home.

Mary and Bill had a long and loving marriage, always putting family first. Although Bill was often heard saying that he was the luckiest guy in the world to have married Mary, Mary felt that she was the lucky one. Their story is one of deep faith, perseverance, and success. They enjoyed walking to and from daily mass, stopping to see a few grandchildren along the way.

Mary and Bill Ryan founded Town & Country Homes in 1958, growing it into one of the largest private home building companies in the United States. Town & Country Homes was truly a family-operated business. As the company was starting, Mary would often drive to the office with their young children to have dinner as a family. At night, she would do the accounting in the home office. The business needed an interior designer, so Mary created T & C Interiors, designing and decorating many model homes.

Mary’s life’s work was her commitment to faith and family. Her love of God placed Sunday mass at the center of any activity. Her commitment to family included large gatherings in Lake Geneva, Hinsdale, and Florida. She found joy and purpose in individual travel with small groups of grandchildren, and destination trips in the United States and Europe with the whole family. No easy feat trying to book dinner reservations for parties over 50. The most memorable trips were to Ireland to visit Mary’s parents.

Mary cherished her friendships with so many while enjoying golf, bridge, and travel. She also had a passion for the symphony, theater, and lectures, which she shared with her family and many friends.

Mary shared her time and talents with Misericordia Home by volunteering and being a member of The Women’s Board. Mary and Bill were longtime friends of Misericordia Home, highlighted by their contribution to the Jean Marie Ryan Center. Mary and Bill were also long time contributors to William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart and Vascular Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center, Macular Degeneration Research Fund at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Mary A. Ryan Endowed Scholarship Fund at St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, St. Mary’s College Science Lab, Lost Tree Charitable Foundation, Catholic Charities, Big Shoulders Fund, The Catholic Extension, Freedom Golf Association, The Jake Foundation, Our Lady of Florida, The Kravis Center, Chicago Symphony, and Wellness House of Hinsdale.

Above all else, Mary’s legacy was her devotion to faith and family. She will be remembered for her kindness, grace, and generosity to all who loved her. Her bright smile lit up a room and she brought joy to all those who met her. Though she is gone, her legacy will live on in her family and the many lives she touched.

A Memorial Mass celebrating Mary’s life will be held at St. Isaac Jogues Church (306 W. 4th Street Hinsdale, IL) on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 10 a.m. The mass will be live streamed on www.SIJ.net and Facebook. For more information, please visit St. Isaac Jogues Parish (www.sij.net) or www.powellfuneraldirectors.com.  Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to:

Misericordia Foundation

 6300 North Ridge Ave., Chicago, IL 60660

Misericordia Foundation Donation

Loyola University Medical Center

 Donations can be made to Loyola University Medical Center in support of

Douglas Anderson, MD and the greatest needs of neurosurgery,

Or Scott Smith, MD and the greatest needs of hematology and oncology

via www.loyolamedicine.org/giving/ or

please make checks out to Loyola University Medical Center

and mail to: Loyola Medicine Office of Philanthropy

Bldg. 115, Rm. 353, 2160 S. First Ave.,

Maywood, IL 60153.

For more information

contact (708) 216-3201 or philanthropy@luhs.org

Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation

8 Church Lane

North Palm Beach, Florida 33408

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