Obituary of Sonya Ryan

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beautiful mom, Sonya “Nonie” Ryan, wife of the late Gerald Ryan, on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Mom was born on December 7, 1935 in Sydney, NS, and was very proud of her Cape Breton roots. Her parents were the late Victor Buckingham and Grace (Moore) (Buckingham) Sonier.

Family was everything to mom. While raising her eight children, Mom took great pride in her immaculate home. She spent many hours baking and cooking delicious meals for her family to enjoy. She had a special love for her cat, Tilley, and the many deer that came for their daily treats from Nonie. She was very proud of her volunteer work at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and with Cardiac Rehab.

Mom is survived by her eight children: Geraldine Ryan (Rick Janson), Steve Ryan (Julie Corkum), Vic Ryan, Maureen Bernard (the late Rick Nicholls), Patti Nicholson (Blair), Tim Ryan, Peter Ryan, and Lisa Hovey (Mark); grandchildren: Paul Doiron (Lori), Colleen Doiron (Andrew), Kerry Donahue (Mark), Scott Bernard, Adam Sterling (Tyler), Sheena Lee (Josh), Lauren and Caroline Hovey; great-grandchildren: Allison, Malachy, Noel, Noah, Oliver, Lucas, Theo, and Charlotte; brother, Bill Sonier (Charlene); sister-in-law, Betty Ann Ryan; and her beloved cat, Tilley. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Lois Maxwell; and her beloved daughter-in-law, Susan Ryan.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. William Johnson, Dr. Jennifer Hall, Dr. Beth Carson, Dr. Steve Smith and Janet, the staff of 3CN, Dr. Ashley Wood, Dr. Chris O’Brien and the staff of the Palliative Care Unit. We would also like to thank our many family and friends for their comfort and support during this difficult time. A very special thank you to Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald for her guidance and compassion.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424), with visiting on Sunday, November 17, 2019 from 2 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 18, 2019 at 11 am from Holy Redeemer Parish, 316 Somerset Street. A private interment will take place at a later date. For those who wish, remembrances to the Saint John SPCA- Animal Rescue or Saint John Regional Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit would be appreciated by the family. Please place online condolences and remembrances at www.BrenansFH.com.