Tracy L. Ryder

Tracy L. Ryder, age 62 of St. Paul, passed away on November 15, 2025.

If you knew Tracy, you know she was one of a kind. Born on August 16, 1963, in St. Paul, she filled 62 years with more love, laughter, honesty, and unforgettable moments than most people could fit into a lifetime.

To our family, she wasn’t just Tracy, she was Mom, Nana, Wife, Sister, Best Friend, counselor, comedian, nurse, referee, and the woman who somehow knew EVERYTHING before we even told her. She had a sixth sense for drama, and somehow, she was always right. The person everyone called no matter what the crisis was. The one who could calm you down, hype you up, make you laugh and yell at you all in the same breath, and somehow, it always made you feel better.

Tracy lived her life for her family. Being a mom to Tarah and Danny was her greatest joy and purpose. She raised them with a mix of tenderness and toughness, always pushing them to be strong, but never letting them forget who they are and that they were deeply loved. She wasn’t just their mother, she was their rock, their safe place, their best friend, and the person who made even the hardest days feel survivable.

Then the grandkids came along, and the rest of us didn’t stand a chance. Nothing made her happier than being a Nana. She formed a special, unbreakable bond with each grandchild, and they all knew that no matter what was happening in life, they could always run to her. She treated each of them like the most important person on earth. She showed up for every moment she could- birthdays, school events, late-night phone calls, and the everyday chaos of big family life. Her home was their gathering place, their refuge, and their favorite place to be. Nana Tracy wasn’t just loved; she was absolutely cherished and adored. She loved her great-grandbaby with that same fierce, tender love she gave all her kids, and she was so proud to see her family continue to grow.

When Pat came into our lives, he didn’t just become Tracy’s partner- he became part of our family in the most natural, genuine way. He loved Tracy with a devotion that showed every single day, and he stood by her through everything life brought her way. But what touched our hearts just as much, was the way he loved her kids and grandkids. Pat didn’t step into the role, he embraced it. He adored those grandkids just as much as they adored him. He spoiled them, protected them, laughed with them, and loved them. And Tracy loved him even more for that. Having Pat in our family is something we will always truly be grateful for.

Tracy adored her dogs with the same unconditional love. They were spoiled, waited on, and treated like family (because to her, they were family). She gave them attention, affection, and probably more treats than she should have, and they returned it tenfold with loyalty, cuddles, and love.

Tracy had a heart that never ran out of room. She was loyal, protective, outspoken, real, comforting, funny without even trying and incredibly loving. If she loved you, you felt it- she made sure of that. If she had a problem- well, she would make sure of that too. She could make you laugh on the worst days, give the kind of advice you’d pretend not to need, and show up faster than anyone the second you said, “Mom, can you come over?” She said whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted- She talked with her hands, her eyebrows, her hips, a kitchen utensil- whatever got her point across. If she had something to say (and trust us, she ALWAYS did), you were getting the full experience: the truth, the joke, the side-eye, the yelling, the love, and probably a few swear words… all in one and everyone in the house involuntarily became part of the conversation. She was bold, she was loud, she was hilarious, and she made everyday life feel like a sitcom you actually wanted to watch. That was Tracy- unapologetically herself, 100% of the time. And honestly? We wouldn’t change a thing.

But behind all that loudness, attitude, and hilarious commentary was the biggest heart you could ever meet. She loved hard, defended her people like it was a sport, and showed up to life with her whole chest every single day.

Losing her has left a void in our hearts that cannot be filled. The house is quieter, the phone doesn’t ring as much, and we all keep catching ourselves reaching for someone who isn’t here. But we also know she’d hate seeing us sit around being sad and crying too long. She’d want us telling stories, laughing, giving each other a hard time, holding onto each other, laughing through the tears, and to keep loving the way she taught us to and to keep her spirit alive in the way she lived- loud, proud, loving, and unapologetically real.

She will be missed every single day, but her love will carry on through memories, her kids, her grandkids, her great-grandchild, Pat, sisters, family and friends.

Forever loved. Forever missed. And never, ever forgotten.

Tracy is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Jayne Delkoski; and grandparents Joseph & Genevive Ferrozzo.

She is survived by her loving husband, Pat Ryder; children Tarah Conroy (Zak) and Danny Conroy (Gina); grandchildren Ariana, Tiana, Janayah, Jaelyn, Kamden, Ariyah, Kaiya, Aaliyah, Alexa, Alivea, and Chancelor; great-granddaughter, Ka'Laiyah; and sisters Debbie Hunt (Ron) and Shelli Delkoski.

A Memorial Service honoring Tracy's life will be held at 12 PM with visitation from 11 AM-12 PM on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Mueller Memorial, 835 Johnson Parkway. Luncheon to follow at Casey Lake Park Pavilion, 2089 17th Ave., North St. Paul, MN 55109.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the family.