Donna Lee Ryan

Donna Lee Ryan, 60, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully at Saint Patrick‘s Hospital, October 17, 2013, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Donna was born in Deer Lodge on March 2, 1953 to Leon and Jean Callison and moved to Anaconda when she was 5 years old. She attended Dwyer grade school and graduated from Anaconda High in 1971. Donna married Jim Ryan in October 1976 and together they raised four beautiful children. She worked at Montana State Hospital for 33 years before retiring in 2006. A woman of many talents, which she generously shared, Donna was an accomplished seamstress, often making clothes and costumes for her grandchildren. Her favorite hobbies were baking, reading, and numerous crafts. She hand-painted remarkably life-like ceramic dolls, some dressed in Native American regalia; and she brought rural scenes to life with her pencil drawings. She enjoyed spending weekend nights playing bunco and pinochle with friends, and she especially loved spending time with the many friends she made at church. Donna loved and served the Lord. She also found great satisfaction working tirelessly in her garden, which during warm months brimmed over with flowers and the butterflies and hummingbirds they drew. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren and lately her two dogs, Chocko and Little Bear. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Jean Callison, and her son, Shawn Ryan. Donna is survived by her husband Jim, children, Korri (David) Toll; Toby (Stacy) Palm; and Amy (Chris) McHenry; grandchildren, Max and Maddie Toll; Ely, Ashley, and Avery Palm; Hannah and Noah McHenry; and her siblings, Gary (Martha) Callison; Nina (John) Olson; Karla (Donald) Davis; Mark Callison, special nephew Julian, aunts, uncles, and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be held Monday, October 21st at Longfellow-Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home in Anaconda, beginning at 7 p.m. Her Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, October 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at Living Waters Church, located at the corner of Fifth and Cedar Street. Graveside services will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the church. Memorials in Donna's honor may be made to the charity of your choice.

Visitation

OCT 21. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (MDT)

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St. Anaconda, MT 59711