Sheila Anne Ryan, 64, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, and formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at the home of her sister, Barbara, in Austin. Prior to her passing she was cared for by her loving sisters, Carol, Barbara, and Patti.

Sheila was born Jan. 13, 1951, in Austin, to George and Edith (Jahn) Ryan. She grew up in Austin and attended St. Augustine Grade School and Pacelli High School until her senior year when the family moved to Albert Lea. Sheila graduated from Albert Lea High School.

Sheila graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education. She then obtained a master’s degree in Early Childhood Development from Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, and went on to teach special needs children in the Boston Public School System. A highlight of Sheila’s life was the contribution she made to the lives of the children she taught.

Sheila’s greatest joys in life were her family, friends, and working with children. Her passion in life was travel. She loved to cruise. Sheila traveled extensively in Europe and visited her family’s ancestral homeland, Ireland.

Survivors include four sisters: Sharon (Dale) Berg, Arlington Heights, Illinois, Patricia Macek, Austin, Minnesota, Carol (Dennis) Medo, Plymouth, Minnesota, Barb Hage, Austin, Minnesota; seven nieces and nephews; nine great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Edith Ryan; her eldest sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Don Urlich.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. There will be a 5 p.m. CCW Rosary on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. and also a half-hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Center. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.