Ryan Michelle Fox

Ryan Fox, 46, passed away peacefully at home on July 8, 2024, with her loving family by her side. Ryan left this world having fought stage IV lung cancer with fierce determination, unwavering courage, and a remarkable sense of humor for nearly 7 years. She was a bright light and quiet inspiration to many, and she leaves behind a legacy of cherished friendships, the love and respect of family, friends, and colleagues, and a reputation for recognizing and uplifting the humanity in others.

Growing up in Taunton, MA, with her mother and brother, Ryan’s childhood was filled with laughter, adventure, and extensive outdoor play. She enjoyed close relationships with extended family members, including her grandmother, “Grams”, aunts, uncles and many cousins. Her mom, Sandy, was Ryan’s greatest champion and a role model in strength, resilience, and generosity.  Her brother, Michael, was Ryan’s closest confidant and co-conspirator on countless adventures. Ryan idolized Mike, even as an adult, and later cherished her relationship with his wife Jen, and their two incredible children, Emily and Mike. Ryan also valued the lifelong friendships of her childhood and enjoyed reconnecting with old friends over the years.

Ryan moved to Boston in 2000 to attend Emmanual College, where she majored in psychology. She went on to earn a master’s degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University, and later a second master’s in social work from Salem State University. Drawing from these two fields of study and a natural ability to connect with and appreciate people exactly as they are, Ryan dedicated her career to supporting people through life’s darker and more challenging times. For the past nine years, Ryan served as a Federal Probation Officer for the U.S. Courts, where she earned the respect and admiration of colleagues, judges, and clients alike. Because she saw and celebrated the good in people effortlessly, Ryan excelled in this role.

In 2003, while working at the Ivy Street School in Brookline, Ryan met her best friend and future wife, Colleen. Together they created a life filled with laughter, adventure, and enduring friendships. Ryan also gained a second family in the Legers, becoming a third daughter to Pat and Dick, and favorite sister to Nickey. Weekends in Barnard, VT, hiking and camping excursions, and many travel adventures together meant opportunities to enjoy nature, explore new places, and spend time with family and friends. Colleen and Ryan shared a belief in the power of kindness, optimism, and humor, even in the face of heartbreaking adversity.

In 2013, Ryan welcomed and embraced her most important and proudest role in life- being “Mimi” to her two children. With utter joy, Ryan watched Emmett and Sylvie grow, celebrating every milestone and accomplishment, however small. She also worked hard to instill in them the core values she herself embodied- a strong work ethic, perseverance, showing empathy towards others, meeting life’s challenges and successes with humility and grace, and treating others with respect and dignity. She led by quiet example, while outwardly and endlessly infusing fun, laughter, and playfulness into their daily lives.  Ryan was always down for playing catch or shooting hoops with Emmett, a laugh-filled game of charades with Sylvie, and an endless offering of “run-hugs” for both children, as well as their cousins and friends who flocked to Ryan at every gathering. Ryan had a magnetic personality and tremendous sense of humor.  She loved a good time and delighted in any opportunity to accessorize with a festive scarf, funny hat, or holiday bling.  Her Halloween costumes were truly epic.

It's impossible to remember Ryan without acknowledging her athletic prowess. Ryan was an exceptional athlete, from her days playing softball, basketball, and soccer in high school to her lifelong passion for long distance running, she was a natural.  When cancer forced Ryan to hang up her running shoes, having completed seven marathons and two ultra marathons, she took up biking. Nine months after being diagnosed with cancer, Ryan rode the Pan Mass Challenge, earning “Heavy Hitter” status for raising over $10,000 for cancer research at Dana Farber. And she did it again the following year.

Ryan held the utmost respect and deepest gratitude for her team at Dana Farber, led by Dr. Pasi Janne. She was honored to play a small part in a national fundraising campaign in support of Dana Farber and the life-saving and life-extending treatments developed there, from which she herself benefitted.

Ryan is beloved by the many family and friends she leaves behind, including her wife, Colleen Leger, and their children Emmett and Sylvie Fox-Leger of West Roxbury; mother, Sandra Feeney of Taunton; brother Michael Fox and his wife, Jennifer, and their children Emily and Michael of Carver; uncle Richard Balelo; aunts Linda Balelo and Laurie Orsini; and many loving cousins; mother- and father-in-law, Patricia and Richard Leger; sister-in-law, Nicole Leger, her husband Peter Menucci, and their son, Luca. Ryan is also survived by her father, Michael Fox and his family. Ryan is predeceased by several loved ones, including her loving grandmother, Margaret (Mele) Balelo; grandfather, Raymond Balelo; uncle, Raymond Balelo, Jr.; and stepfather, Edward C. Feeney.

 Visiting hours will be held in the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral home 1803 Centre St., West Roxbury, on Sunday July 21, from 2:00 to 6:00pm. A celebration of  Ryan's life will be held on Monday, July 22, at 10:30am at the Dearborn Pavilion in Forest Hills Cemetery  95 Forest Hills Ave., Boston, MA 02130 www.foresthillscemetery.com

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Ryan Fox to support cancer research and patient care at:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
P.O. Box 849168
Boston, MA 02284
or via dana-farber.org/gift