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In memory of
Mary Katherine Ryan
May 13, 1954 - December 10, 2023
May 13, 1954 - Dec 10, 2023
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a contribution to Help save her house from foreclosure.
$3,015.00
of $3,000 goal
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Background
My mother, Mary Ryan, was born into abject poverty to a family with nine children in Des Moines in 1954. By the age of 19, she had three children of her own, escaped an abusive first marriage and embarked on a second.
Determined to escape the vicious cycle of poverty, my mom and dad settled into a tiny house on Des Moines’ East Side in 1974 with the help of a loan through the Veteran’s Administration.
For 50 years, through abusive relationships, another divorce, job losses and insurmountable health concerns, my mom struggled to make her mortgage payments on the only home she’d ever known.
Upon her death, her mortgage pay off amount is a mere $2000: A tiny amount by all accounts, but an out of pocket expense that her family simply does not have.
Please help us pay off her home and her cremation services with a generous donation in any amount.
Losing our mom is a life altering sorrow that I foolishly did not expect. Losing our childhood home in addition to our mother would simply crush every ounce of my being into the depths of despair.
Any gift is appreciated. If you are unable to help financially, please share this story to your social media connections to help us spread the word.
We were blessed to have our mother in our lives for 69 amazing years. Likewise, we are blessed to be surrounded by a community of caring friends and family. Thank you for your consideration. Contribute
Determined to escape the vicious cycle of poverty, my mom and dad settled into a tiny house on Des Moines’ East Side in 1974 with the help of a loan through the Veteran’s Administration.
For 50 years, through abusive relationships, another divorce, job losses and insurmountable health concerns, my mom struggled to make her mortgage payments on the only home she’d ever known.
Upon her death, her mortgage pay off amount is a mere $2000: A tiny amount by all accounts, but an out of pocket expense that her family simply does not have.
Please help us pay off her home and her cremation services with a generous donation in any amount.
Losing our mom is a life altering sorrow that I foolishly did not expect. Losing our childhood home in addition to our mother would simply crush every ounce of my being into the depths of despair.
Any gift is appreciated. If you are unable to help financially, please share this story to your social media connections to help us spread the word.
We were blessed to have our mother in our lives for 69 amazing years. Likewise, we are blessed to be surrounded by a community of caring friends and family. Thank you for your consideration. Contribute
Funds are being collected and disbursed by Heather Ryan, Mary's daughter.
Recent contributions
$1,000.00
Aug. 22, 2025, 3:05 a.m. PDT
$50.00
Feb. 11, 2024, 11:49 p.m. PST
Anonymous
$500.00
Jan. 17, 2024, 8:17 p.m. PST
$10.00
Jan. 12, 2024, 12:50 p.m. PST
Anonymous
$500.00
Jan. 11, 2024, 12:13 p.m. PST
Anonymous
$50.00
Dec. 26, 2023, 10:43 p.m. PST
$50.00
Dec. 23, 2023, 8:45 a.m. PST
Anonymous
$25.00
Dec. 20, 2023, 7:08 p.m. PST
Anonymous
$100.00
Dec. 18, 2023, 8:47 a.m. PST
$10.00
Dec. 18, 2023, 7:20 a.m. PST
$50.00
Dec. 17, 2023, 7:03 p.m. PST
$20.00
Dec. 17, 2023, 1:10 p.m. PST
$20.00
Dec. 17, 2023, 6:13 a.m. PST
$50.00
Dec. 16, 2023, 10:17 a.m. PST
$20.00
Dec. 16, 2023, 7:59 a.m. PST
$10.00
Dec. 15, 2023, 8:34 p.m. PST
$10.00
Dec. 15, 2023, 7:48 p.m. PST
$50.00
Dec. 15, 2023, 5:39 p.m. PST
$10.00
Dec. 15, 2023, 3:47 p.m. PST
$50.00
Dec. 15, 2023, 3:19 p.m. PST
Anonymous
$20.00
Dec. 15, 2023, 2:22 p.m. PST
Holmes
$10.00
Submitted by Susan Holmes on
Dec. 15, 2023, 11:29 a.m. PST
$30.00
Dec. 15, 2023, 11:00 a.m. PST
$10.00
Dec. 15, 2023, 10:31 a.m. PST
$50.00
Dec. 12, 2023, 12:45 p.m. PST
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Memories & condolences
May your heart be filled with peace! 🙏🏼
May your heart be filled with peace! 🙏🏼
May your heart be filled with peace! 🙏🏼
We are so sorry for your loss! Losing a mother or grandmother is so hard! Your whole family is in our thoughts and pr…
We are so sorry for your loss! Losing a mother or grandmother is so hard! Your whole family is in…
We are so sorry for your loss! Losing a mother or grandmother i…
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a contribution to Help save her house from foreclosure.
$3,015.00
of $3,000 goal
Show your support:
Contribute
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Created with love by
Heather Ryan (Mary's daughter) and
Heaven Chamberlain (Mary's granddaughter).
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