Obituary of Bridget Cryan

Bridget Martin Cryan (“Breege”) of Morristown, NJ, beloved Mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2021, surrounded by her loved ones. She is predeceased by her husband Charles, her parents James and Winifred Martin, and her sister Margaret Mary Sowter. She is survived by her son Charles, his wife Heidi of Long Valley, her son James, his wife Megan of Florham Park, her daughter Colette Chapman, her husband Tim of Naperville, Il. and son John of Morristown and her nine adoring grandchildren: Connor, Aidan, Bridget, Ainsley, Teaghan, Isabella, Abigail, Lucy, and Charlotte. Breege will be remembered lovingly by her sisters Colette of Morristown, Teresa Duffy of Tallaghan, Co. Roscommon, Ursula of Balanagare, Co. Roscommon, and beloved first cousin Margaret Mary Murphy of Hackettstown, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and close friends. Breege was born the third of five daughters to James and Winifred Ellen Martin in Balanagare, County Roscommon, Ireland. She lived an amazing life spanning three countries. As a girl, she attended Balanagare National school and Rosary Priory in Hertfordshire, England. Always dignified and kind while retaining her love of fun, she brought a gracious element to our large and raucous family gatherings. For many years she welcomed dozens of guests who had nowhere else to go for holiday meals and always kept an open door for those visiting. She touched the hearts of all who knew her with her warmth, charm, and wit. Her greatest joy came from time spent with her family and friends. While she often referred to herself as Mugsy Fagan and the Little Red Hen when her children wouldn’t do what was asked, she took immense pleasure in doing everything she could for them. While her children were young, she volunteered for countless hours at the school library and cafeteria and, much to their dismay, always was the first to sign up to chaperone field trips. She had a love of the auld sod and, even after living in America for more than five decades, always thought of Ireland as home. Breege was a proud member of the John F. Cryan Association and the Giblin Association. She was a beloved Religious Education Teacher, a Cub Scout Leader (very briefly), and volunteered with St. Huberts, St. Annes Villa, and the Carmelites. She loved her time in the Our Lady of Sorrows bowling league and was proud of hitting the 200 mark several times. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Breege. She loved being the mother and grandmother of twins, a good cup of tea, a full glass of wine, music, crossword puzzles, the Jersey Shore, and Jeopardy. When at home, she could often be found at the kitchen table reading or watching her stories while waiting for her children to come home and tell her all the news. As her children grew, they knew to make some noise before coming inside to give her time to run to the kitchen and start the kettle so they could have a good talk. Known for having an open-door policy, she welcomed anyone who needed a place to stay. She loved welcoming friends and spending hours talking on the front porch at the Jersey Shore. Granny gave her children and grandchildren many great gifts, but most of all, she instilled a strong sense of faith and the gift of being Irish not just in our names but in our hearts. Funeral services from The Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison, on Monday, July 26th at 10:00 am, thence to St. Thomas More Church, Convent Station, for the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Visiting hours are Sunday, July 25th, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to The Carmelite Monastery - 189 Madison Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.