Caryl Bemis Ryder

Caryl Bemis Ryder passed away peacefully at home on May 24, 2018. She was a loving wife to Robert F. Ryder for 44 years and a dedicated mother to Kelly Blake Ryder of Windsor and Kimberly Lauren Ryder of Newington (as well as puppies Mac and Macee, who provided companion ship for many years and especially in her last days) Her spirit joins those of other family members including her parents Ralph Mitchel Bemis and Jane Savard Bemis Sr. Born on August 31, 1950, Caryl grew up in West Hartford, attended Austin School for Girls and graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1972. Caryl retired in February 2017 after a longtime career with Aetna in Hartford. From her college years Caryl fell in love with New Hampshire living and spent many summers at the Bemis Family Cottage on Silver Lake in Harrisville, once known as Bemisville, outside of Keene, NH. When her father Ralph passed on Caryl assumed the role as family historian which she enjoyed for many years. Family and friends always came first for Caryl. In 1978, following the passing of her grandmother Marian, Caryl envisioned an annual “Cousin’s Weekend” at the cottage at Silver Lake. With views of Mt. Monadnock and the sounds of loons on the water, some 20 cousins with spouses came together every June for 33 years, celebrating each year with a different theme. The “Cousin’s Weekend” gathering was the glue that held the family together. Besides her husband and daughters, Caryl is survived by brother Ralph (Skip) Bemis Jr. and wife Maggie Ewald of Columbia, sister Deborah Bemis Bond and husband Leo Bond of South Windsor and lastly sister Sara Bemis Petrini and husband Kenny Petrini of Portland, in addition to, many nieces, nephews and cousins. A Celebration and Thanksgiving of Life Service will be held at the First Church of Christ Congregational, 12 South Main Street, West Hartford CT. 06107, on June 9, 2018 at 11: 00 am with a reception to follow. A Commitment Ceremony will be held at the family plot in Harrisville N. H. later this summer. Donations in Caryl’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.