Very sorry to hear of the sad passing of our first cousin Annamaria. I have very fond memories of us all growing up together in Dublin. May she rest in peace. From John Gilsenan (AnnaMaria's mother Eithne was my Godmother).
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Dear Ryan Family,
We were very saddened to hear about Anne Marie's sudden passing. We have known her since the Canadian Martyrs years and we shared many Waeg swims and chats.
We will never forget what a wonderful person she was, who loved her family and was so kind to all. She will sing, teach and swim in Heaven. Our deepest condolences.
Alicja & Rafal Kasina
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Bob, Fiona, Kerrianne and Erin: we and Mia go back to the early 1970s. Mia was always a great friend and we did keep in touch through email and the all too infrequent trips either by us to Nova Scotia or her to Ireland. As is said in her obituary Mia lived as she preached – MIA WAS KIND. But this is too small a word – Mia was much more than this. Mia was, understanding, supportive, caring, empathetic, generous, sensitive and compassionate. Mia was highly intelligent with a quick intellect and she would enlighten any conversation with her insights. She gave so much to family, friends, community, career and general society. The first thing you always noticed about Mia was her smile. It was infectious and once you saw it, you knew it was going to be a good day. And there were many great days. We offer you and the family our heartfelt condolences. Look after yourselves in these difficult days.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam, dilís.
Eibhlín and Gerry
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I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Anne-Marie. When I met Anne-Marie, I was a Sessional Instructor at Dalhousie working towards more permanent and stable employment. Anne-Marie was so kind and supportive, and having her 'in my corner' made such a difference during that time. She gave the generous gift of the sense of belonging, and I hope to carry that with me for new students and faculty members alike.
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I was heartbroken to hear the news of Anne Marie’s passing. She was such a lovely, kind and thoughtful person. I had her as a professor in my undergrad at Dalhousie, and she has always been one of my favorite professors. I continued running into her on campus while I completed my masters, and every time I saw her it brightened my day. She was such a caring person and genuinely seemed to take an interest in her students’ well-being. I am so unbelievably sorry for your loss. I imagine that as great of a professor she was, she was an even better mother, sister, and wife.
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I met Anne Marie when she was awarded the prestigious 3M National Teaching Fellowship for teaching excellence. As one of the facilitators of the meet and greet lunch at STLHE, then that Fall, the 4-day retreat at Chateau Montebello, I had the absolute pleasure to interact with and get to know Anne Marie. Her passion for helping students shone like a beacon. Her smile was unforgettable. I was impressed with her leadership skills when I joined a science group she helped instigate, bringing people from all areas of science together electronically. Be it discussing teaching and learning, curling with fellow 3Mers, or chatting informally over a meal, Anne Marie was and will always be a very special person in our hearts.
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I am deeply saddened to read that Anne Marie has passed away. I taught Fiona, Kerrianne and Erin in the music program at Sir Charles Tupper School. Anne Marie valued music as an integral part of a child’s education and I was always grateful for her encouragement and support.
Heartfelt condolences during this time of mourning and in the days ahead.
Carolyn Edwards
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Dear Kerrianne, Bob, Fiona, and Erin,
It has been more than a week now, and it is still hard to find words. I mourn with you for the loss of Anna Marie, a terrific mentor who has become a trusted friend and inspiration. I remember my very first meeting with Anne Marie, in the fall of 2008 or 2009. I was still at home caring for young children, a return to academia uncertain. Ever practical, she came to my house instead of suggesting a meeting on campus. A warm and fruitful discussion took place at the kitchen table. Fast-forward a few months, and I was filling in for Anne Marie in teaching a class in Earth Sciences. With her encouragement and guidance, I began teaching at Dalhousie and made my way back into the workforce. Anne Marie was inspiring for many reasons, one of them is that she truly cared about the well-being of people around her. She started the Community of Practice, she designed new classes on leadership and communication, and never ceased to make teaching better at Dalhousie. When Covid 19 hit, Anne Marie led the rest of us through the challenge of transitioning to online teaching and learning, and generously offered her wisdom and sense of humor in the weekly Community of Practice meetings.
Like many at Dalhousie and elsewhere, I will forever cherish her memory. It will serve as an inspiration. She is in a good place now and at peace. My greatest sympathies and condolences to you Bob, Kerri Anne, Erin, Fiona, her brothers and sisters, and her extended family.
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I am heartbroken for the sudden and tragic loss of dear Anne Marie who has provided friendship, teaching mentoring, inspiration, and kind support since we met shortly after I arrived at Dalhousie in 2004. When Covid19 struck, this wise and kind professor took the lead in helping so many of us get through these challenging times, for example, by running the Community of Practice, which I am sure was a necessary check-in for many as we worked from home. I was always amazed at Anne Marie's energy and drive with some last advice being to "keep it simple". Across this great divide, I will continue to seek guidance and inspiration from Anne Marie. While walking in nature, I'll listen for your harp in the sounds of the wind-rustled leaves, the bubbling brook, buzzing bees, singing birds, and squirrels warning calls, and think of the stories you told and of the laughter in your classroom! My greatest sympathies and condolences to Kerrianne and the rest of the family.
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Dear Bob, Fiona, Kerrianne and Erin,
Dale and I were so shocked and saddened to hear about Anne Marie. We have such fond memories of babysitting Fiona and Kerrianne when Erin was born, being entertained by the girls with a play as we sat bleary eyed on the couch. Anne Marie was so supportive to me during my first summer's M.Sc. field work Truly, I am not sure how I would have fared without her to phone with questions and I have been forever grateful that she was there. I have good memories of the two of us sharing an office at Dalhousie U. and of staying with you all so many years ago when I returned to Halifax for some research work. Anne Marie was one of the good ones in the universe who can never be replaced and will always be missed. Our heart felt condolences to all of you.
4
I am so saddened to read of Anne Marie's passing. She was gracious, kind, and always ready with a smile whenever I met her. In my capacity as Erin's teacher, she was also a very supportive and caring parent. My thoughts and condolences go out to Erin and her family during this difficult time.
3
Sending our deepest condolences to you Bob and family. So very saddened to hear of your wife's passing. Hazel & Michael Lucas
3
Wayne and I were shocked and very saddened to hear from Martha of Anne Marie’s sudden passing last week. Reflecting back on the many summer weekends we spent together over the years, driving around the province, cheering the girls on in their many swim team events, I realize how fortunate we were to share those times with Anne Marie, Bob, Fiona, Kerrianne and Erin. Anne Marie was always kind, cheerful, positive, and encouraging to all the swimmers, and made sure that each child was made to feel special and valued on the team. I will truly miss her smile, her friendly wave and and her daily presence at the Waeg as she kicked her flutterboard back and forth down the pool. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very sad and difficult time.
3
Dear Bob and family,
We are so shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden loss of Anne Marie. May her precious memory help sustain you all in the years ahead. Sincere sympathies from John, Alex and myself.
Susan and John Mahtab #2810
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A beautiful and kind soul, that touched so many people in her time here on earth. I will miss her smiling face and warm hugs when I’m in Halifax.
Always a gentle teacher, whether it was defending me at Sunday School when the words just didn’t come out right. Encouraging me to sing with a loud and confident voice or giving the best tips to help me get those provincial swimming times as she cheered from the sidelines either as an official or spectator. I learned so much from her and in ways and at times in my life that profoundly impacted me.
I’ll remember with fondness her telling me that amin’t was a perfectly acceptable contraction of am not no matter what my school teacher said and that the few words I still pronounced with an Irish accent were important reminders of who I was inside.
Most of all, Anne Marie was a true friend of our family, accepting us with all our faults and choosing to love us no matter what. The space she leaves behind can never be filled, and will remain as a testament to her friendship, love, patience and generosity.
My heart is with you Erin, Kerrianne, Fiona & Bob.
3
My deepest condolences for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
3
Dear Fiona and family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful compilation of memories and stories. Thank you for sharing this with us all. Sincere and heartfelt condolences, Elisha
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My sincere condolences to you all. I fondly remember her classroom support , attendance on many field trips and her deep caring for her daughters. I will miss seeing her at the Waeg and her cheerful hello & smile as we passed coming and going from the pool. May your special memories see you through this difficult time.
Ken MacInnis
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Bob and family,
Sending my deepest condolences for your loss. Praying your cherished memories help you through this difficult time.
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My heart is just shattered. We have spoken so many times about visiting and as always, life has gotten in the way. I don’t know what to say. I’m simply gutted. You were such a comfort to me and a wonderful aunt. My heart is broken for your girls and uncle Bob and for you because I know how very much you would never want to leave them. Miss your warmth already. Never wanted to see you go. Love you and I will miss you forever 💔
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Anne-Marie was one of the kindest people you could ever expect to meet in life. Having met her in my second year she inspired me to pursue a degree in earth sciences and never stopped supporting me over the years. She was an incredibly patient and understanding teacher and even more amazing human being. My sincerest condolences to her family and those she loved.
3
I was blessed to have had numerous enlightening professors in my university years, but of those who left the heaviest impact on me was this incredibly talented soul right here, Anne Marie Ryan. It was educators like her who brought out the best in students, and reignited our love for earth sciences. Her enthusiasm and love for science was contagious. Anne Marie was also one of my inspirations to pursue education. She genuinely cared for all her students and helped us in so many ways. Your passing is such a shocking and heavy loss. A wonderful life taken from us too early. May you rest in peace, Anne Marie. You will be missed.
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