Page "Montebello, New York" Paragraph 12

The Ryans were as generous to philanthropies as they were rich.

It has been estimated that Mrs. Ryan gave $ 20 million dollars to various charities and endowments across the country.

Most of these were affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church ; however, there were also sizable donations to nonsectarian institutions as well.

By 1905 it was reported that Mrs. Ryan's munificence covered the building of " at least one hundred new chapels, schools, churches, hospitals, homes for Sisters of Charity and homes for the aged and infirmed ".

Mrs. Ryan displayed a special fondness for her new neighbors by contributing equipment to the newly formed Suffern Fire Department.

She also built a new church and established a girl's school and a seminary in Suffern, among other things.

Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, she turned her attention to the health needs of the community and started Good Samaritan Hospital.