Mary Margaret Ryland

Mary Margaret Ryland was born May 3, 1945, in Las Vegas, NM and passed away January 4, 2026, following a brief illness with complications.

Mary found a life of people who loved her and lots of Western Music. Not "Country," as she would quickly advise anyone who confused the two! After graduating from St. Pius High School and attending Mount Saint Mary College in California, Mary would variously work as a professional 'Gal Friday,' a chairside dental assistant, in the commercial scheduling department of KKJY-FM radio and Communications Director for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. She co-founded the Fair West Neighborhood Association in the 1970s.

During much of her professional life, he also promoted her beloved Western Music through her Sidekick Productions. Her stage shows featured such artists as Ian Tyson, Riders In The Sky, Bob Wills' Texas Play-boys, Don Edwards, Sons of the San Joaquin, Doug Kershaw, and Baillie and The Boys. She was particularly proud to have brought the Sons of the Pioneers to the old Hiland Theater for two shows. As emcee for many of these, she used her eventual life partner Rick Huff, with whom she eventually co-produced the radio show The Best Of The West Revue, the album "Hi, Pardner" (recordings of Hi Busse and The Frontiersmen w/Roy Rogers, Eddie Dean, Doc and Festus and others) and the double CD "The Best of New Mexico Western Big Surprises From Behind The Chile Curtain."

Since the early 1990s she has supported the International Western Music Association both physically and financially. From the IWMA she received the Bill Wiley Award for outstanding efforts on behalf of Western Music and she and Rick influenced getting Western Song of the Year Awards established with both the Western Writers of America Spur Awards and the NM Music Awards.

Mary was preceded in passing by her brother, Harry Ryland, Jr. She is survived by her loving 'Service Dog,' Rick Huff; nephew, Patrick Ryland wife, Fanny Cost and children, Lilah and Nolan Ryland of Rodez, France; cousins, Charlotte Kosir and husband, Dr. Chris Kosir of Santa Fe and cousins, Leo and Dennis Rodriguez of Colorado and wives, Teresa and Camilla.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1:00 p.m., at FRENCH - University with a Rosary following at 2:00 p.m. A Mass will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 811 Guaymas Pl. NE. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m., at Rosario Cemetery in Santa Fe. Her wish for all: "Go in peace, not in pieces."

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the IWMA [505-563-0673 or email marsha@westernmusic. org] and Animal Humane.