OBITUARIES

Rose Mary Cacciolo Ryan

A formidable presence left us on March 15, 2026. Rose Mary Cacciolo Ryan was Mother, Sister, Aunt, Wife, Friend, and, most importantly, Grandmother. We all pray for an easy transition during her final journey.

Rose Mary was born in June of 1942, in Brooklyn, NY, to John and Rita (Smith) Cacciolo. As the second oldest in a quartet of sisters – Patricia, Yolanda, and Mary – Rose and her family filled their small Bay Ridge apartment with a belief built upon family, faith, and food: a theology she practiced daily.

Educated in Brooklyn’s parochial schools, Rose Mary mastered flawless penmanship. To those who were consistently reminded when matters of calculations came about, Rose was forever proud of winning that math medal in 8th grade.

In 1965, she married her high school sweetheart, James F. Ryan, eventually settling outside the city to the “country”, better known as Westport, CT, where they thrived for over 20 years.

Rose Mary found great purpose in raising her kids and feeding their friends. She volunteered with The Westport Young Women’s League and Levitt Pavilion. Rose also taught youth CCD classes at her parish, St. Luke’s Catholic Church.

She loved life on the New England coast, spending many days walking the Compo Beach shoreline. When Connecticut winters arrived, Rose Mary gratefully escaped to the island of Aruba. Eventually Rose and Jim ventured toward the western horizon, splitting time between Santa Monica, CA and Bozeman, MT.

Rose Mary started to paint later in life: her medium reflected her own bold personality. With confident use of bright acrylics on large canvases, Rose recreated landscapes from memories of her travels.

A huge sports fan, the Yankees always held Rose’s heart. She enjoyed watching women’s tennis, PGA tournaments, and the NFL. Rose had a not-so-secret crush on the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, but that never took away from rooting for her NY Giants. She was also known to play a mean round of bocce at her assisted living residence.

Embracing her Sicilian heritage, Rose bestowed her blessings through the amazing meals she cooked. Meatballs and sauce; Jim’s favorite, chicken cacciatore; Christmas Eve’s seafood marinara; and her legendary eggplant parmesan were some of her best gifts.

Through it all, Rose Mary lived a life full of multiple health challenges, which she championed with a defining tenacity. 

Rose Mary is survived by her daughter, Laura M. Ryan, and her husband, Chris Naumann, of Bozeman, MT; her son, Anthony J. Ryan, and his wife, Amanda, of Ann Arbor, MI; and grandchildren, James Christopher Naumann, Joseph T. Ryan, and Lila E. Ryan. She is preceded in death by her parents, her youngest sister, Mary, and her precious husband of 55 years, Jimmy.

Our family is eternally grateful for Befrienders, Bozeman Senior Center, and Holy Rosary Church. A special shout-out to the care partners, med techs, and staff at Highgate Bozeman: your constant presence and kindness made our mom’s last moments a sweet party of love and joy.

In lieu of flowers, let us all remember Rose Mary’s belief that no kid should go hungry, and most dogs are good. Please support Bozeman’s local Gallatin Valley Food Bank and/or Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter.

A Catholic mass honoring Rose Mary will be held at noon on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Holy Rosary Church, Bozeman: praying of the Rosary starts at 11am. Feel free to join us – wear something bright and happy, celebrate all the colors Rose loved so much. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com

Vibeke Gjøe Einhorn

Vibeke was kind, thoughtful, giving, and warm, even as her Parkinson’s progressed.  She was also unflinching and intrepid.  Vibeke was primarily raised in Copenhagen, Denmark by her mother and grandparents. She became close with her step-parents and half-siblings, including those in Victoria, Canada, despite age differences and distance. 

Vibeke obtained her Registered Nurse with honors and was her class commencement speaker at the University of Copenhagen.  It was there, at the student union, that she met her future husband, Martin Einhorn. They soon married in Søllerød Kirke in 1967. 

About a year after their wedding, Vibeke moved back to the United States with Martin; he surprised his friends with his beautiful Danish bride. They initially lived in California, at Stanford and Berkeley, then lived in Illinois while Martin worked at the Fermilab. Vibeke collected friends and hobbies in each place they lived. She furthered her education in America, getting her Master of Science in Nursing, and consistently worked as a registered nurse. She adapted to the traveling life and spread joy with her contagious smile. Her hobbies in the ‘60s and ‘70s included belly dancing, pottery, and so much more.  

They settled in Ann Arbor, Michigan for many years to raise their children, Michael and Linda. Vibeke worked at the University of Michigan hospital as a nurse and quickly became part of the community. She baked bread to welcome new neighbors, kept dog treats, and decorated elaborate cakes for almost every occasion. Her garden flourished and she often rehabilitated orchids for friends and neighbors. In the ‘90s she helped found WISE, a women’s investment club, and often hosted  book clubs and dinner parties. 

Vibeke also sewed costumes for plays and made family halloween costumes; she loved to dress up and participate.  She volunteered at the school, was an outstanding cook, and was the best chauffeur for 5 am travel soccer games. She even, allegedly, was the get-away driver for a few choice toilet-papering missions. When the kids wanted to have a food-fight, she organized one outside and hosed them down when they were done. She loved to laugh, and consistently supported and uplifted those around her, especially her family. 

Vibeke and Marty returned to California in 2004, where she reconnected with dear friends and collected new ones through exercise classes and volunteer work. She enjoyed baking treats with DAWG, an organization for dogs with medical needs. Her Santa Barbara book club was a consistent source of enjoyment and community for nearly 20 years. Vibeke was also an avid reader to the very end. 

She loved visiting family, until travel became too difficult for her. She adored her four grandchildren, who all remember her fondly. Many of her best qualities (and recipes) live on through her children, grandchildren, and likely, through some of you. 

Vibeke opted for a “green burial,” her family will receive soil to plant trees in her honor, and the rest of the nutrient-rich-soil will be used to support conservation efforts and soil restoration.