Katie L Ryan's Obituary
On May 14, 2019 Katie L. Ryan found peace from her long hard fought battle with cancer. She is going to be upset that it says Katie, so I shall refer to her as Kate. Kate leaves behind, her loving father John Ryan and her mother Karen Casabura and husband John. Kate who was her dad's little girl always worried about her dad’s feelings when having to discuss her illness. Thus hiding most of it from him so he would not be upset as any loving father like John would be. She was also the boss between the two when it came to his diet and healthcare constantly, on top of him if he strayed off the path. Kate would argue with Karen, when Karen would tell her she had to eat or drink, which we all got a little jolt of from Kate at times, as we all know.
Kate leaves behind her supportive loving brother Terry and wife Gemma, who have given Kate three beautiful nieces, Keeleigh, McKenzie and Ellie. Kate has such great love of family. She took extreme joy in seeing baby Ellie born and bringing her joy each and every morning when Gemma would send a picture to brighten Kate’s day. Kate also loved to see McKenzie perform in school events and excel in gymnastics. Kate also took great pride in Keeleigh and her passion for riding and care of horses all under the direction of her instructor Kate. Kate was a tough instructor, as Kate’s good friend Linda Williams will attest to, no stirrups! Kate was given such love and care by Terry, Gemma and the girls, a thank you would never be enough, so we love you will have to do. Kate also leaves behind her loving dog child Pippa, who was by her side constantly through all of the battles offering, unconditional love, comfort and support.
Kate was a fantastic equestrian rider and a member of the South Creek Foxhounds, where she loved to hunt and socialize with the many wonderful friends that have been so supportive and loving through the years. I can’t say thank you enough to each and every one of you because the list is too long and I wouldn’t want to miss anybody. The early morning rise to drive miles to a farm to hunt at the crack of dawn brought unbelievable joy to Kate. It may have been the tea after the hunt that she and all of you looked forward to. The love and care of the horses themselves was an example of the love that Kate had for the sport that she started at around 2 years old while in England. I got to meet Marlene, in England, who was a big reason why Kate was so good and had some much knowledge about horses. As I said she was a tough instructor even yelling at me when I took one lesson with her, notice one.
Kate had the attitude when dealt with the bad news of this terrible disease at a young age that she was going to worry about living and not dying. As you all know she was the comeback kid. Just when you thought this was it, she was up in a saddle jumping a coup or running a half marathon in Disney. Kate was a person who put herself out to help others and never let anybody know how difficult times were physically and emotionally for her. It was all about not letting others down.
I was able to witness all this first hand because I am Kate’s Fiance, Todd Brien, who she is not leaving behind but waiting for me in a better place. I got to live through each and every precious moment with Kate the past several years through good times and bad. I got to experience love from deep in the heart where there was no love any stronger. I got to share a life however short with the most incredible woman a man could have. She loved and cared for me just as much as I for her. Apologizing to me that she was putting me through this again, worrying about me each and every time bad news would come our way. But there was no need to apologize because she knew that we would do this together and that I would be by her side through it all. Together we been through the ringer and back but not once did we lose our focus on living. We lived and we loved in a way that was simple and pure, we gave our hearts to each other which was unconditional. Kate brought such joy in to my life in such a short time. I could say I got cheated but that would be a lie, because I was able to experience love with the most incredible beautiful person you could ever have the chance of loving. We have shared many of tears but we also rejoiced in life that we shared. I regret that we didn’t get to our wedding day but that does not change the love and joy that we shared in our home that Kate truly made a home.
Kate was very loving and caring to my daughter Renee who she was so proud of for her scholastic accomplishments in high school and college. Kate loved family and having my family over to stay with us in our home. So much so she created albums to document the visits. The love and happiness of being in RI for Christmas with my family was a joy to watch even though it was negative zero. Needless to say that happened just once for these two Floridians.
As Kate moves on to a better place awaiting us all, I take relief, although extremely heartbroken that she suffers no more. Till we meet again in a better place my love.
I LOVE YOU FIANCE AND I KNOW AS YOU SAY “I LOVE YOU MORE”
Thank you all for your support and love. There is going to be a private memorial service for family only at Memorial Park. There will be celebration of life to follow at a later date which will be posted on social media to all those that would like to celebrate this amazing loving person. In lieu of flowers we are requesting that a donation be made to the” Be Great Like Kate Foundation” we are going to establish to give back to organizations that were important to Kate, in her name. The emphasis live, love and fight like Kate. Information will be posted in social media as to how you can donate directly to the fund once it established.
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