Mary Ann Ryan McDonough, retired school bus driver, union leader

Mary Ann Ryan McDonough, 76, of Medford, a former school labor union leader in Medford Township Public Schools, died on Thursday, June 16, at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly following a heart attack.

Mrs. McDonough was a bus driver for the Medford school system from 1967 until she retired in 1994.

Her husband, James, said in an interview that she became the first president of the Medford Township Schools Support Union.

"It took in mechanics, drivers, cafeteria workers," he said. Mrs. McDonough served one three-year term.

The drivers, he said, were mostly women, and they decided on her as their leader because "they went to her for information and because she was easy to get along with."

Mrs. McDonough drove buses for the middle schools in the Medford system, he said.

Born in Camden, she graduated from Camden Catholic High School in 1958 and married in 1959.

"She was a nice lady," said Richard Wilson, a friend who was visiting during the interview. "I'd see her at least once a week. I'd stop here and we'd have coffee."

Besides her husband of 57 years, James F., she is survived by sons James F. Jr., Kevin, and Steven, a sister, and eight grandchildren.

A viewing was set from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 20, at the Bradley & Stow Funeral Home, 127 Medford-Mount Holly Rd., Medford, before a funeral service there at 8 p.m., with private interment.

Donations may be sent to njsharingnetwork.org.

Condolences may be offered to the family at bradleystow.com.

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