Nayda Amelia (Madrid) Ryan

Nayda A. (Madrid) Ryan, 81, a resident of Charlestown, died Tuesday morning, April 4, 2023, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

Nayda was born in Potosi, Bolivia, on December 22, 1941, the daughter of Zenaida Burgos Navia and Helios Madrid Burgos. She lived in Bolivia for most of early life, where she had a large extended family. She moved to the Boston area in the early 1980’s with her husband, Jerry, and son, Steven, living in Chelsea until 2004, when the family moved to Winthrop. She later moved to Charlestown in 2020 after Jerry passed away to be closer to her son Steven and his wife Theresa Levy-Ryan who also live in Charlestown. Nayda was the sister of the late Helios Madrid.

In Bolivia, Nayda, in early adulthood, contemplated being a nun, entering a convent before deciding she would live a life of service as a layperson. She formed a friendship with her eventual husband, Jerry, a Little Brother of Jesus working and living in Bolivia, through her work as an activist during the politically tumultuous 1970’s. After their relationship progressed and became more than a friendship, they were married and had their only son before moving to Jerry’s hometown of Boston due to the political situation in Bolivia at the time.

After eventually settling in Chelsea, Nayda worked in health care, initially as a medical secretary, a job she also did in Bolivia, and then eventually studied to become a Registered Nurse, continuing her life of service. As a Registered Nurse, she worked at several nursing homes, including the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home, before initially volunteering in hospice work and later becoming a hospice nurse.

While living in Chelsea, she was heavily involved in her community, committing time to N.A.B., the neighborhood advocacy group in her district, and doing translation work for the city. She later became interested in Reiki, earning her certification as a Reiki Master and teacher, and, prior to the pandemic, volunteering her time at the Kaplan Family Hospice House to perform Reiki on patients who requested it.

Nayda had a great appreciation for art, classical music, literature and was devoted to her faith. Both she and her husband lived their faith in the values they passed on to their son and in looking to live a life of service to others. Although she became an American citizen, she always had a deep love for Bolivia, staying in touch with her family there and keeping reminders of her home country throughout the house. She was also devoted to taking care of her late mother, bringing her to the United States to live with her family. Finally, she was a dog lover, owning several dogs during her lifetime, including, most recently, her Brittany spaniel, Ginger.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Mary's Church, 55 Warren Street, Charlestown on Tuesday, April 11th at 10 AM. Those attending the Funeral Mass are asked to meet directly at church. Visiting Hours will be held in the Smith-Carroll Funeral Home, 721 Salem Street (Maplewood Square) MALDEN on Monday from 5-7 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to the American Cancer Society, the address and link can be found below.

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