Dolores "D" Beatrice Ryan

Dolores Beatrice Ryan passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, November 21, 2022 surrounded by her family. Dolores ("D") was born in Baltimore City on September 23, 1935 to Otto Palecek, a National Bohemian Beer Brewery employee and Anna Palececk (Melka), a homemaker. She attended St. Wencelaus school and Catholic High School. She married James A. Ryan at St. Wencelaus Church on December 28, 1963.

D is the loving mother of six children: Margaret A. Rickell, Joseph P. Ryan, Maria D. Danielczyk (Steve), Martin J. Ryan, Barbara F. Ryan, and Anthony P. Ryan, ten grandchildren: Megan Rickell (Cody), Sean Danielczyk, Ryan Rickell, Stevie Danielczyk, Andrew Ryan, Amanda "Mandi" Ryan, James "Jimmy" Danielczyk, Samuel Ryan, Emma Ryan, and Luke Ryan and two great grandchildren: Elizabeth "Ellie" Kuhn, and Colt Kuhn.

After living four years in their first home in the Belair-Edison section of Baltimore City, Jim and D moved with their first two children to their present home in Reisterstown, Maryland. Soon the family grew as four more children were born.

D worked from her home as a Family Day Care provider and then for Stella Maris, Villa Julie, and the Little Sisters, as a Geriatric Nursing Assistant. She was also very active in her parish, Sacred Heart, Glyndon, where she and Jim have been active members since 1967.

D loved children, and she was responsible for starting what came to be known as the Father Hooper Pre-school of Religion Program which operated for more than 20 years on Sunday mornings. She also organized a group of parishioners who provided hospitality and support for the parish's Saturday afternoon baptisms for several years.  And for more than 30 years, she organized and managed the Immaculate Lady Council Knights of Columbus Christmas Assistance Program, which later became known in the council as "Jim and D's Christmas Assistance Program." She devoted an amazing number of hours to making sure that each child received their special requests, and that each member of the family received a gift.

In all these activities, D was always unassuming and preferred to remain in the background, not needing or desiring any recognition or credit for herself. This spirit of unselfish giving also characterized her relationship with her family. She raised six children, loved to care for her grandchildren, and always seemed to be available when someone needed a caring, listening ear and some sound advice and support. Recently, she was privileged to be able to hold in her arms two great-grandchildren.

D made it possible for her husband to respond to his calling to become a Permanent Deacon by her never-ending support and encouragement. She always stood by his side through the years of training and formation, and in his ministry, as she also had in his career as a Social Worker.

In D's time of illness, she found it very difficult to slow down and let others care for her. She still managed to be an essential source of love and strength for her family.

D will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but we have complete confidence that she has been welcomed into Heaven with great joy, as God's faithful servant.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, November 25, from 3-5 and 7-9 pm at the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., 11605 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD, 21117.  A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 26, at 12 pm, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 65 Sacred Heart Lane, Reisterstown, MD 21136.

Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery, 84 Bond Avenue, Reisterstown, MD 21136.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.