Irish woman (80) dies in road accident in the US

Sarah Slater

An Irish grandmother who was seriously injured with her husband in a road accident in the US has died.

Kathleen Ryder, 80, a retired speech and drama teacher, and her husband William ‘Liam’ Ryder, 84, from Cabinteely, Co Dublin, were left with severe injuries after being hit by an SUV while visiting their grandchildren in the Massachusetts town of Worcester on September 25th.

The couple, who had only arrived in the US the day before, were crossing the road on Park Avenue around midday when they were struck by an individual driving an SUV that allegedly ran a red light.

Mr and Mrs Ryder were rushed by emergency services to UMass Memorial Medical Centre. Mrs Ryder remained in intensive care in a critical condition but died last Friday, October 10th.

Mr Ryder, a retired school principal, still remains in hospital where he has undergone several surgeries.

The pair were visiting their son Fergus, his wife Jude, and their children. Their three daughters flew out from Ireland to be by their side.

In her death notice on Rip.ie, her family said that Mrs Ryder will be “very sadly missed” by her husband Liam, son Fergus, daughters Nuala, Sheila and Niamh. Her granddaughters Ali, Kiva and Ruby, grandsons Liam, Declan, Luka, Coey, Fionn, Beau and Aran, daughter-in-law Jude, sons-in-law Dominic, Roger and Brian, sisters Eiish, Margaret and Josephine, brothers Liam and Pat, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, lifelong friends and a wide circle of friends, communities and neighbours.

Mrs Ryder’s family will be repatriating her remains back to Ireland as soon as possible, with funeral arrangements to be announced later.

Paying tribute, someone offering their condolences said they are “utterly stunned” to learn of the tragic passing of Mrs Ryder, who was a friendly and devoted parent".

They added: “Our prayers are with Liam and the family at this extremely difficult time, and may Kathleen's gentle soul find solace and eternal rest in God's heavenly kingdom. Go raibh leaba aici i measc na Naomh, go deo na ndeor.”

Mr Ryder’s niece, Una, created a GoFundMe to help with medical costs, travel expenses, and ongoing care.

She said that they suffered “severe injuries and possibly life-changing consequences”, and that "all donations, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated."

The teen driver of the SUV is to be summoned by police for allegedly operating to endanger, failing to yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk, a red light violation and speeding, according to police and as reported in the Worcester Gazette and Telegram.

The Department of Foreign Affairs was contacted for comment.

In an update on the fundraising website, Ms Ryder thanked all those who supported the family since the accident occurred.

So far, more than €65,000 has been raised.