Obituary of Dagmar Nita Ryan

Dagmar passed away peacefully on February 13, 2019 at the age of 104. The daughter of Robert Augustus (Gus) Stephens and Rose Adelaide (Oram), Dagmar was born in 1914 in Ilford, Essex, England. Her parents affectionately called her “Dagmar Nita Nothin’ Sweeta”. Dagmar worked as an Examinations Officer for the Central Midwives Board for England and Wales for 15 years and was described by the Chairman as “a most conscientious and indefatigable worker who has conducted her Department with energy and care.” She worked in London during the Blitz. A Senior Officer with the Board wrote, “During the war when the examinations were run under very great difficulty, I could always rely on Miss Stephens’ steadfast co-operation, without which it would have been impossible to have run the examinations successfully.” Dagmar was also the Assistant Examinations Officer, General Nursing Council for England and Wales for 17 years, before retiring in 1969. That same year, she married the late Frederick William Ryan and came to live in West Saint John, New Brunswick. Dagmar loved music her entire life. She studied piano for 12 years from the age of 5 and voice for 10 years at the Metropolitan Academy of Music, London. Indirectly, it was the piano that brought Dagmar to Canada. In London, Dagmar met a young Canadian girl who was studying piano, voice and organ at the Royal College of Music. They became good friends and Dagmar offered her the use of her grand piano for daily practice. The student, a girl from Saint John named Patricia (Spinney) Ryan, would several years later tell her recently-widowed father-in-law that he should look up Dagmar on his upcoming trip to London, and the rest, as they say, is history. For many years Dagmar shared her musical talents within the Saint John Community. She was the piano accompanist for various musical groups including the Saint John Choral Society, the Chancel Singers of St. Mark’s United Church and the Kiwanis Girls’ Choir. She was also the official accompanist for the New Brunswick Festival of Music for several years and the Director of the Senior Choir of the Assumption Church for 10 years. Dagmar also enjoyed performing many piano duets centre stage with her daughter-in-law Patricia. Dagmar was a superb storyteller. She was known for her incredibly sharp wit and shared her wonderful sense of humour with all who knew her. She was also known for her love of (and capacity to imitate!) cats. She’ll be sadly missed by family and friends in both Canada and England. The Ryan family extends its sincere appreciation to Lina Toole for her friendship, enduring love and support of Dagmar over the years. We also express our gratitude to the staff of the Carleton-Kirk Lodge Nursing Home for their loving care and compassion. Dagmar is survived by her daughter-in-law Patricia Ryan, grandchildren – Michael, Kathleen (Grant Elliott) and Claire (Andre Brodeur), 5 great-grandsons Ryan, Alexander, Max, Leo and Luc and 1 great-granddaughter, Lily. Dagmar was pre-deceased by step-son, F. William (Bill) Ryan and grandson, Eric. Resting at Castle Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Avenue, Saint John, NB E2M2L3. 506-634-1701. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 10th at 12 Noon at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. The family invites friends and family of Dagmar for a “meet and greet” at 11:00am, an hour prior to the service at the Church. Online condolences can be made at www.castlefh.com.