Beloved for her grace and kindness, Monica Ryan, 84, died at her home in Colts Neck with her family by her side, after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Monica was a loving partner and closest friend to her husband of 58 years, John L. Ryan, and beloved mother to their three daughters. They were the light of her life and each gave her much happiness.
Monica was a student of art history and loved art-inspired travel with her husband, a warm circle of friends and her brother William J. Chiego, retired director of the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio.
After raising her daughters, she joined John in breeding thoroughbreds at their farm in Colts Neck; Long Lane Farm produced occasional winners at Monmouth Park and Laurel.
Born Monica Anne Chiego in Newark in 1939, the future Mrs. Ryan was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Chiego. She was a graduate of Star of the Sea Academy in Long Branch and Holy Family College in Philadelphia.
Monica is survived by her husband, John L. Ryan; her three daughters, Andrea Ryan, Maria Zdroik and Victoria Brioc; three cherished grandchildren, Wade, Clayton and Courtney Zdroik; and her brother William J. Chiego and his wife Elizabeth.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
A memorial gathering took place Feb. 9 at St. Mary’s Church, Colts Neck. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered following the gathering. Burial was private.
For messages of condolence, or to share a favorite memory of Monica, please visit her page of tribute at holmdelfuneralhome.com.
This article originally appeared in the February 22 – 28, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
