"I just recently learned of Mary?s passing. We were neighbors growing up in Hatfield MA. Mary graduated from high school with my sister and her brother John graduated with my brother. She was such a sweet, gentle, and kind person. Her very good high school friend, Joan Beattie just passed away on August 19th. My condolences to her family. "
In loving memory of
Mary Ryan Bishop
April 26, 1942 - July 11, 2021
Mary Ryan Bishop was born in Hatfield, MA on April 26, 1942, to Edward and Mary Ryan, and died on July 11, 2021, at the age of 79, after beating back cancer three times in the last decade. She is predeceased by her husband Bruce Bishop, and her brother John Ryan. Mary is survived by her daughters Elizabeth Gemoets (Darren) and Catherine Bishop (Dan Marino), son David Bishop, and three grandchildren Ethan, Lily, and Ryan. She is also survived by cherished, life-long friends with whom she traveled the world, played bridge and mahjong, volunteered, taught, and pursued any number of her myriad interests. Mary was a graduate of Smith College and a teacher and student of earth science for more than 40 years in Kingston and Saugerties School Districts. Her family was always on notice that she would take a one-way trip into space if an opportunity presented itself. However, in lieu of that, Mary sent Science Experience Modules (SEMs) into space with John Glenn's STS-95 Discovery mission, ensured that Saugerties Schools received some of the earliest Apollo lunar rock samples, and served many years as a consultant to NASA, the Hubble Space Telescope Institute, and Goddard Space Center. She had a love of travel and was a true bibliophile, with lifelong support of libraries locally and around the world. Mary was also a Certified Financial Planner and had been Chair of the Board of the Ulster Federal Credit Union for more than a decade when she died.
Arrangements are being handled by Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, and the funeral will be at St. John's Episcopal Church at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 31, 2021. In lieu of flowers, Mary requested donations to the Bishop Organ Fund, St. John's Episcopal Church, 207 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY, 12401. To participate in the service via Zoom, visit www.stjohnskingston.org/online-streaming-worship. To leave an expression of sympathy, please visit www.KeyserFuneralService.com.
Tributes
"My favorite Memories are when Mary would come visit Kensington,MD & I would help drive her to catch her train back to NY. I also loved sharing pictures with her of Lily &Ryan on their Summer adventures, I looked forward to her comments on our pictures. It was also fun to teach her how use a Bitmoji to send picture messages to her friends and family. I will miss her, it was an honor to know her. My condolences to all her family and cherished friends. -Monica Villarreal"
"TO Elizabeth, Catherine and David - Not sure that you three remember me but I fondly remember you all and your parents. I babysat for you many times over the years and worshipped with you at St. Johns over the years as well. I always had so much respect for your parents and their dedication to their work, family and the church. They were so proud of the three of you. When my mom passed away last year your mom was at the memorial service and spoke very fondly of my mom and brought back some wonderful memories....I really appreciated your mom being there in the midst of the pandemic - it meant a lot. Prayers to you all, with love, Laurie (Mine) Psarris"
"My memories of Mary are far too many to post. I met her as a client and she quickly became a cherished friend and confidant. We helped each other through lots of life?s hardest times.. I am and always will be grateful to have known this very special lady ??"
"Mrs. Bishop was one of my favorite teachers at SHS. I was so mesmerized by her passion for Earth Science that I bought rocks for her while on a family vacation after having had her as a teacher. I am now a teacher myself and I credit Mrs. Bishop with inspiring my love for teaching and for my understanding that it's not so much the subject, but the teacher who sparks the interest. I teach high school English, but always love to help my students with Earth Science because I have retained a love for the subject that only an amazing teacher can inspire. The Catskill Mountains are a divided plateau and I know how to read a topographical map because of her. Thank you for teaching me. "
"Mary was brilliant, gracious, kind, generous, and a true force of nature. Through the many years I knew her, she was my teacher, mentor, role model, advisor, colleague and friend. I am a Smithie mom due to Mary's considerable influence... So much to be grateful for. "
" I met Mary a very long time ago, when I was a first year English teacher at Saugerties. She was everything I thought that a teacher should be . Happily , I became a beneficiary of her kindness, patience, and professionalism. She was always helping me. She was also the most organized person I ever met. She was usually collecting money for at least seven different causes, and I swear that she had a filing cabinet in her pocketbook. I was also amazed at her ability to read and to knit at the same time. Her level of multi tasking is something to which I aspired but never achieved. She was a role model, a teacher, a friend, a travel companion , a confidant and hero to me. I feel so very lucky to have known Mary, and I treasure the many ways that she enriched my life. The world will be a poorer place without her. Colleen Ryan"
"I am fortunate to have met Mary as a former parishioner at St. John?s. Mary was such a sweet woman with a great smile. She was always a great person to talk to and a helping hand when needed. "
"Mary was my beloved department chair at SHS. I will never forget when she took me and two other new teachers to the STANYS conference in Philadelphia for three days (of course, Mary drove us all). She was an inspiration to female teachers who wasn?t afraid to fight for her ?Team Science? colleagues, and a brilliant and dedicated teacher who was able to think outside of the box. I will miss her greatly. My deepest sympathies to her family. "