Nicole Ryan, 42, passed away at home surrounded by family on Saturday, December 3rd after a grueling two-year battle with colon cancer.
Nicole was born in Framingham, May 20,1974, the daughter of David J. and Donna M. (Cullen) Ryan of Medway, She was educated in Medway schools and received her degree in social work at Marymount College in New York. Thus began a career working with foster children and families that spanned 20 years. Every child was "her kid" and she took great pride in watching them bloom and grow into stable, successful adults. Prior to her illness she was with the Mentor Network in Worcester.
In addition to her parents she is survived by a sister, Kimberley and her husband Mike Belyea of Georgetown, MA as well as her special pride and joy, nephew Lucas, aka "Monkey". She also leaves 10 aunts, 7 uncles, and 33 cousins.
Once diagnosed Nicole adopted the mantra, "Just Keep Swimming" and lived, truly lived, a life over those two years traveling to Aruba, camping with family, weekends with friends, chilling with Monkey, karaoke, the beach, and participating in cancer fund-raisers, primarily the Dana-Faber Jimmy Fund Marathon walk, where in 2015 she completed the 26.2 mile course while undergoing chemotherapy.
Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 7 in St. Joseph Church, Village Street, Medway at 10:00 a.m.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Medway.
Calling hours will be on Tuesday in the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 3 Barber Street, Medway from 4- 8 p.m.
The family requests donations be made in her name to Tufts Medical Center Trust, PO Box 231, Boston, MA 02111, Relay for Life (Foxboro-Sharon) Mary Munchkins 1229 Park Street, Stoughton, MA 02072 or Jimmy Fund Marathon Walk Team, A Walk for Paula, PO Box 3595, Boston, MA 02241.