Eleanor “El” Mary Ryan, 90, of Lowell, MA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Born on July 14, 1936, Eleanor was the daughter of Irish immigrants, the late Daniel P. and Helen M. (Manning) Regan of Lowell. She grew up in the Acre, attended St. Patrick’s Grammar School, and proudly graduated from Lowell High School, Class of 1954.
Eleanor began her career as a clerk at Notini & Sons, where she formed many lifelong friendships. She later worked as a clerk and administrator in the President’s Office of the Boston & Maine Railroad at North Station in Boston. After marrying the love of her life, James P. “Jim” Ryan of Lowell, in May of 1961, she balanced part-time work starting with the Boy Scouts of America while raising and juggling four energetic boys through their grammar and middle school years. She eventually served as a bookkeeper for TES Electrical, where she remained through the end of her career.
For most of her life, Eleanor made her home in the Highlands neighborhood and was a devoted communicant of St. Margaret’s Parish. She cherished time spent with family and friends — cookouts, beach days, and simple afternoons at home — but her greatest joy was supporting her sons in every school, parish, and sports activity imaginable. She was the definition of a volunteer: chaperoning field trips, serving hot dogs and pizza, running bake sales, car-pooling, and showing up wherever she was needed. If there was a sign-up sheet, her name was already on it.
Eleanor also had a soft spot for animals, especially Brute our family dog...and Lucky—the stray tabby who wandered on to the porch and quickly became part of the family. She gave her time generously to the community, volunteering with Circle Home Health Care, Friends of Merrimack River Valley House, and St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen, where she was known for bringing and serving homemade baked goods to those in need. Most importantly, she treasured her membership in the “’54 Club,” a close-knit group of Lowell High Re-Union Committee classmates who remained dear friends for decades.
To her friends she was “El,” to her many nieces and nephews she was “Aunt Eleanor,” and to her grandchildren she was proudly and lovingly “Grammy.” She was famous for her baking—especially her chocolate chip Toll House cookies made from her mother’s recipe. Everyone received a bag with their name on it, baked exactly the way they liked them—soft, crispy, or even intentionally burnt. No one was left out: family, neighbors, the mailman, and even the lawn crew all knew to expect a treat. Her meatballs weren’t bad either. ;-)
Eleanor is survived by her sons James Ryan of Lowell; Timothy and Brenda Ryan of Nashua, NH; and Christopher Ryan of Biddeford, ME; and by her beloved grandchildren Katherine (Ryan) and husband Alex Conrad; Shannon (Ryan) and husband Steven Andricopoulos; Jillian Ryan and her partner Pedro Lucas; Caden Ryan; and Callie Ryan.
She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, James P. Ryan; her son Robert Ryan; grandsons Matthew and Patrick Ryan; her brother Daniel P. Sr. and wife Barbara Regan; her niece Anne Dietsch; and her nephew John Dougherty.
Eleanor, loved the color pink. To celebrate her, feel free to wear a splash of pink to Wednesday's services if you are able to attend.
In-lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanor's memory can be made to St. Paul's Soup Kitchen - Housed Inside Eliot Church | 273 Summer Street | Lowell, MA 01852 | PO Box P. O. Box 2257 | Lowell, MA 01851 | 978-206-1189
Non-Profit | St Paul's Soup Kitchen | Lowell MA
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday August 12, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852. Her funeral Mass will take place at 12 noon at St. Margaret of Scotland Church. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the McDonough Funeral Home.