RYAN, JANE ELIZABETH LOUGHRAN (1923-2007) Philly, PA
RYAN, JANE ELIZABETH LOUGHRAN RYAN, 74, of Allentown PA and Bonita Springs FL, died Sunday, May 6, 2007, in her home surrounded by her children, following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Ryan was predeceased in February by her loving husband, Frank J. Ryan, retired President of Air Products and Chemicals. They were married for 51 years.
Mrs. Ryan was the daughter of the late Joseph F. and Helen Marie (Eisenhart) Loughran of Philadelphia. She was a graduate of Holy Cross Elementary School in Mount Airy, Mount Saint Joseph's Academy in Chestnut Hill and Peirce College in Philadelphia. Following gradu-ation, Mrs. Ryan worked as a Medical Historian at a private hospital on Rittenhouse Square. Mrs. Ryan was married in 1955 and two weeks later moved to the Panama Canal Zone with her husband who was on active duty as a Navy Officer during the Korean Conflict. While in Panama, Mrs. Ryan was hired as the Executive Assistant to the Inspector Brigadier General of the Air Force.
In 1957, Mrs. Ryan moved to Allentown with her husband and became a long time community volunteer and leader. She was a founding member of St. Thomas More Parish where she was a long time volunteer in the school library and Chairperson of the Volunteer Program at St. Thomas More School. She was the President of the WELD United Way Women's Board, Board Member and President of the Board of the YWCA and Chairwoman of the first YM/YWCA Joint Council. She was a Board Member of KidsPeace and was a member of the Board of Trustees of Mount St. Joseph's Academy and recipient of the School's highest honor, The Fournier Medal for Distinguished Service. She was a member of Legatus, Lehigh Valley Chapter and, with her husband, was the Honorary Grand Marshal of the opening of the Morgan Cancer Center at the Lehigh Valley Hospital.
Mrs. Ryan was an avid golf and tennis player and a member of Lehigh Valley Country Club, Saucon Valley Country Club and The Colony Golf Club. She was a long time social and competitive bridge player, earning Master Points. Mrs. Ryan had great strength and zest for life and was tirelessly devoted to her friends and family. She will be missed by many.
Mrs. Ryan is survived by her brother, Joseph F. Loughran Jr. of Chester Springs PA and her 4 children, Laurene E. Ryan of Villanova PA, Christopher G. Ryan of Landenberg PA, Carolyn Ryan Healey of Princeton NJ and William D. Ryan of Allentown PA; son and daughter-in law, John M. Healey and Dawn P. Ryan and 3 grandchildren, Julia Ryan Healey, Helen Ryan Healey and Justin Francis Ryan. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexer Avenue, Allentown, 10 A.M., on Thursday, May 10th. Calling hours will be held at J. S. BURKHOLDER FUNERAL HOME, 1601 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, on Wednesday, May 9, from 7 to 8:30 P.M., and from 8:15 to 9:15 A.M. on Thursday, May 10.
Published in the Philadelphia Inquirer & Philadelphia Daily News on 5/8/2007.