Elizabeth Ann (Schutte) Ryan

Elizabeth Ann "Bette Ann" (Schutte) Ryan, 91, of Colchester, beloved sister, aunt, wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on Monday, May 23, 2022 at Middlesex Memorial Hospital. Born on July 29, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Elizabeth (Saffrey) and Walter Schutte.  She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 43 years, Burton C. Ryan, her sisters Marguerite (Radicchi) and Helen (Tiezzi), and nephew Richard Tiezzi.  She leaves to remember her with love her children Kathleen Ryan (Elliott Huron) of Trumbull, Robert Ryan of Colchester, Carol Barkett (Woodrow) of Maineville, Ohio, and Jeannine Savalle (Jeffrey) of Salem, grandchildren Douglas Huron (Jennifer) of Jersey City, NJ, Mallory Huron of Trumbull, and Tara Quehl (Christopher) and Woodrow Barkett II, both of Cincinnati, as well as step-grandson, Jeffrey Savalle, (Simone), of Salem, nephews, Arthur J. Tiezzi (Sylvia), Michael (Selina) Ryan, and Daniel Ryan, nieces Linda Tiezzi Parrish and Sally Ryan, sister in law Mirian Ryan, and many great-nieces, nephews, and friends.  As well, her family would like to acknowledge Paul and Marian Chreiman, dear neighbors and friends for over 30 years, for their faithful and loving kindness, companionship, and assistance, particularly in the last few years of her life.

"Bette Ann" grew up in Chester, Connecticut on the farm of her maternal grandparents Ellen and Robert Saffrey and graduated from Chester High School in 1948.  Shortly thereafter she moved with her mother to Westchester and worked until her marriage at Aetna Life & Casualty in Hartford.  After their marriage in 1955, she and her husband moved to Bulkeley Hill Road and in 1957 to the home they built there, where she remained until her death.  She attended the Colchester Federated Church and for many years was very involved in the Women's Fellowship there, as well as their Bell Choir and the Friends of the Cragin Memorial Library.  She enjoyed gardening, the beach, shopping, spending time with beloved family, and a good cup of coffee in the morning.  She was until almost the end of her life the upholder and hostess of many family holiday traditions and celebrations.  But more than anything, she was a lifelong baker, eventually earning the nickname "The Pie Queen" from her granddaughter Mallory (who, to her great delight, eventually "took up the torch" of holiday pie making).  In addition to her delicious pies, her "Aetna brownies," congo bars, apple brownies, cheesecake, sour cream coffeecake, and other treats are stuff of legend in her family and thanks to her precise recipes will remain so.

The family will receive friends at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester, on Saturday, May 28, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a service immediately following.  Burial will be at Linwood Cemetery, Colchester.  Donations in her memory may be made to the Colchester Federated Church or the American Heart Association. To share a memory or express condolences, please visit: www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com

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