Mary Ellen Ryan

Mary Ellen Ryan aka Grandma Princess❤️ April 13, 1934 – August 10, 2026 (née Coppage) If you were fortunate enough to know Mary, you were fortunate enough to be loved by her. Mary Ellen Ryan, née Coppage, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, at the age of 92. Mary wasn’t simply loved—she was the heart of her family. She was the person everyone turned to for comfort, guidance, laughter, and unconditional love. She was a safe place, a constant source of strength, and the one who made everyone feel like they mattered. To her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she was their foundation. To everyone fortunate enough to cross her path, she was unforgettable. Born on April 13, 1934, in Washington, D.C., to Carlin and Francis (Stanley) Coppage, Mary lived a life defined by kindness, compassion, and selfless devotion to others. She worried about everyone—even people she didn’t know. Her heart was limitless, her generosity endless, and her love was given freely to all. Mary had a special gift for making people feel welcome. She was spunky, quick-witted, and always ready with a smile or a clever remark. She never met an enemy, and every person who knew her loved her. Her laughter, warmth, and genuine care for others left an impression that will last for generations. Mary married the love of her life, Herbert Ryan, in 1951. Together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and commitment. As a devoted military wife, Mary stood proudly beside Herbert through the many challenges and adventures military life brought. After Herbert’s passing in 1999, she continued to be the strong, loving matriarch her family depended on. In 1970, Mary and Herbert moved to Shullsburg, Wisconsin, where Herbert’s family had deep roots. Together they purchased Venes Grocery Store and became beloved members of the community. They later owned and operated the local laundry, the Honky Tonk Tavern, and Ryan’s Trucking. Through each endeavor, Mary built friendships and connections that lasted a lifetime. Mary was also a devoted member of the Shullsburg American Legion Auxiliary. She was proud to support veterans, their families, and her community, reflecting the same spirit of service, generosity, and patriotism that she carried throughout her life. But Mary’s greatest accomplishment was the family she loved so deeply. She was a devoted mother to her three daughters, Mary Arviso, Karen (Eddie) Chancey, and Peggy (John) Ryan. She cherished her seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren with all her heart. Family was not just important to Mary—it was everything. One of Mary’s greatest joys was bringing people together. She was famous for making one unforgettable meat pie that family members looked forward to year after year. Every Fourth of July, her home became the gathering place for extended family, with loved ones traveling from states away to celebrate together. Her house was filled with laughter, stories, children, and the comforting feeling that everyone belonged. Those gatherings were a reflection of Mary herself: warm, welcoming, and overflowing with love. Mary had a wonderful sense of humor and a way of looking at life that was uniquely hers. When asked the secret to her long and healthy life, she would proudly say she had three rules: she never drank, she never smoked, and she never chased men. It was classic Mary—funny, honest, and delivered with just the right amount of sass. She also enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. She loved anything sweet, especially her morning donut and coffee. She had a passion for gambling, enjoyed playing bingo, and loved visiting Ho-Chunk. Even in her final days, she was still asking to go to Ho-Chunk—proof that her adventurous spirit and love of fun never faded. Mary shared a particularly special bond with her great-grandson, Brayden Murphy, whom she lovingly called “her boy.” Brayden affectionately called her “Grandma Princess,” a name that perfectly captured the special place she held in his heart. Their relationship was a beautiful example of the love, joy, and connection Mary created with those around her. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Herbert Ryan; her parents, Carlin and Francis (Stanley) Coppage; and her siblings, Doris (Sonny) Perry, Carlin (Rose) Coppage, and Peggy (John) Hamilton. She leaves behind a family who adored her and will carry her memory forward every day: her daughters, Mary Arviso, Karen (Eddie) Chancey, and Peggy (John) Ryan; her seven grandchildren; her eleven great-grandchildren; and countless extended family members and dear friends whose lives were forever enriched by her love. Though our hearts are broken by her passing, we find comfort in knowing that the love Mary poured into her family will continue for generations. Mary wasn’t simply loved—she was the heart of our family. She was our safe place, our biggest cheerleader, and our greatest blessing. While her chair may now sit empty, her presence will forever be felt around every family table, in every shared laugh, every family tradition, every game of bingo, every Fourth of July celebration, and every act of kindness inspired by the example she set. We will miss her every day, but we are profoundly grateful for the privilege of being loved by her. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the lives she touched, and the countless memories she leaves behind. She will be forever loved, forever missed, and never forgotten.