Joan Ryan died in the presence of her family on December 30, 2020, after a brief illness and a life well lived. She was 88.
Joan was beloved by her friends and family for her loving spirit and kind heart, her love of learning driven by curiosity and her ever-present sense of fun.
Joan was a devoted parishioner of St. Francis De Sales Church and, later, Our Lady of Victory Church.
During her years at Catholic Central High School, Joan studied piano at St. Joseph's Conservatory of Music in Troy. This began a lifelong study of piano and music.
Following high school, Joan worked for Western Electric and served as an organist for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Watervliet.
Joan married the late Michael Roger Ryan in 1958.
She dedicated herself to raising their six children in Troy, instilling in them a love of music and the arts. Joan took her children to performances great and small at SPAC, Tanglewood, The Mount and many other venues. Concerts given by luminaries such as Aaron Copland and Pete Seeger loom large in family lore.
After her children were grown, Joan worked at Saint Francis De Sales Church, the Music Department at R.P.I., and the New York State Department of Health.
While working, Joan filled her free time with courses at SUNY Albany. History and literature classes were always among her favorites.
It was a pleasure to see Joan engage people of all ages in wide ranging discussions from literature to environmental issues to the civil rights movement.
While working and studying, Joan's boundless energy and drive allowed her to continue studying the piano as well. She developed a love for early 20th century classical composers and ragtime. Scott Joplin's Bethena remains for us all as her theme song.
During their retirement Joan and Roger enjoyed travels to Ireland, the Canadian Maritimes and countless destinations across the U.S. They made many trips to see their children and grandchildren in San Francisco, stopping to explore the country along the way. Joan continued to enjoy musical performances, be they with her daughter at Live in HD Metropolitan Opera productions, with her sister Doris, a fellow season ticket holder at the Albany Symphony or playing duets with her granddaughter on violin. Music brought Joan comfort in her last years as she continued playing the piano. With a legacy of two generations of artists and arts appreciators, Joan had the good fortune to make a positive, lasting contribution to her world. Our gratitude is immeasurable.
Joan was born to Robert McCarney and Elizabeth Barry McCarney on June 10, 1932, in Watervliet.
She is survived by her six children, Patricia Ryan, Elizabeth Ryan (Michael Nelligan), John Ryan (Laura Koban), Mary Ryan, Joseph Ryan (Patty Sayer Ryan) and Anthony Ryan; and by her five grandchildren, Lucy and Grace Nelligan (Elizabeth), Darcy Ryan (John) and Grady and Will Ryan (Joseph).
Interment will follow in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.
Joan was beloved by her friends and family for her loving spirit and kind heart, her love of learning driven by curiosity and her ever-present sense of fun.
Joan was a devoted parishioner of St. Francis De Sales Church and, later, Our Lady of Victory Church.
During her years at Catholic Central High School, Joan studied piano at St. Joseph's Conservatory of Music in Troy. This began a lifelong study of piano and music.
Following high school, Joan worked for Western Electric and served as an organist for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Watervliet.
Joan married the late Michael Roger Ryan in 1958.
She dedicated herself to raising their six children in Troy, instilling in them a love of music and the arts. Joan took her children to performances great and small at SPAC, Tanglewood, The Mount and many other venues. Concerts given by luminaries such as Aaron Copland and Pete Seeger loom large in family lore.
After her children were grown, Joan worked at Saint Francis De Sales Church, the Music Department at R.P.I., and the New York State Department of Health.
While working, Joan filled her free time with courses at SUNY Albany. History and literature classes were always among her favorites.
It was a pleasure to see Joan engage people of all ages in wide ranging discussions from literature to environmental issues to the civil rights movement.
While working and studying, Joan's boundless energy and drive allowed her to continue studying the piano as well. She developed a love for early 20th century classical composers and ragtime. Scott Joplin's Bethena remains for us all as her theme song.
During their retirement Joan and Roger enjoyed travels to Ireland, the Canadian Maritimes and countless destinations across the U.S. They made many trips to see their children and grandchildren in San Francisco, stopping to explore the country along the way. Joan continued to enjoy musical performances, be they with her daughter at Live in HD Metropolitan Opera productions, with her sister Doris, a fellow season ticket holder at the Albany Symphony or playing duets with her granddaughter on violin. Music brought Joan comfort in her last years as she continued playing the piano. With a legacy of two generations of artists and arts appreciators, Joan had the good fortune to make a positive, lasting contribution to her world. Our gratitude is immeasurable.
Joan was born to Robert McCarney and Elizabeth Barry McCarney on June 10, 1932, in Watervliet.
She is survived by her six children, Patricia Ryan, Elizabeth Ryan (Michael Nelligan), John Ryan (Laura Koban), Mary Ryan, Joseph Ryan (Patty Sayer Ryan) and Anthony Ryan; and by her five grandchildren, Lucy and Grace Nelligan (Elizabeth), Darcy Ryan (John) and Grady and Will Ryan (Joseph).
Interment will follow in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.
Joan Ryan died in the presence of her family on December 30, 2020, after a brief illness and a life well lived. She was 88.
Joan was beloved by her friends and family for her loving spirit and kind heart, her love of learning driven by curiosity and her ever-present sense of fun.
Joan was a devoted parishioner of St. Francis De Sales Church and, later, Our Lady of Victory Church.
During her years at Catholic Central High School, Joan studied piano at St. Joseph's Conservatory of Music in Troy. This began a lifelong study of piano and music.
Following high school, Joan worked for Western Electric and served as an organist for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Watervliet.
Joan married the late Michael Roger Ryan in 1958.
She dedicated herself to raising their six children in Troy, instilling in them a love of music and the arts. Joan took her children to performances great and small at SPAC, Tanglewood, The Mount and many other venues. Concerts given by luminaries such as Aaron Copland and Pete Seeger loom large in family lore.
After her children were grown, Joan worked at Saint Francis De Sales Church, the Music Department at R.P.I., and the New York State Department of Health.
While working, Joan filled her free time with courses at SUNY Albany. History and literature classes were always among her favorites.
It was a pleasure to see Joan engage people of all ages in wide ranging discussions from literature to environmental issues to the civil rights movement.
While working and studying, Joan's boundless energy and drive allowed her to continue studying the piano as well. She developed a love for early 20th century classical composers and ragtime. Scott Joplin's Bethena remains for us all as her theme song.
During their retirement Joan and Roger enjoyed travels to Ireland, the Canadian Maritimes and countless destinations across the U.S. They made many trips to see their children and grandchildren in San Francisco, stopping to explore the country along the way. Joan continued to enjoy musical performances, be they with her daughter at Live in HD Metropolitan Opera productions, with her sister Doris, a fellow season ticket holder at the Albany Symphony or playing duets with her granddaughter on violin. Music brought Joan comfort in her last years as she continued playing the piano. With a legacy of two generations of artists and arts appreciators, Joan had the good fortune to make a positive, lasting contribution to her world. Our gratitude is immeasurable.
Joan was born to Robert McCarney and Elizabeth Barry McCarney on June 10, 1932, in Watervliet.
She is survived by her six children, Patricia Ryan, Elizabeth Ryan (Michael Nelligan), John Ryan (Laura Koban), Mary Ryan, Joseph Ryan (Patty Sayer Ryan) and Anthony Ryan; and by her five grandchildren, Lucy and Grace Nelligan (Elizabeth), Darcy Ryan (John) and Grady and Will Ryan (Joseph).
Interment will follow in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.
Joan was beloved by her friends and family for her loving spirit and kind heart, her love of learning driven by curiosity and her ever-present sense of fun.
Joan was a devoted parishioner of St. Francis De Sales Church and, later, Our Lady of Victory Church.
During her years at Catholic Central High School, Joan studied piano at St. Joseph's Conservatory of Music in Troy. This began a lifelong study of piano and music.
Following high school, Joan worked for Western Electric and served as an organist for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Watervliet.
Joan married the late Michael Roger Ryan in 1958.
She dedicated herself to raising their six children in Troy, instilling in them a love of music and the arts. Joan took her children to performances great and small at SPAC, Tanglewood, The Mount and many other venues. Concerts given by luminaries such as Aaron Copland and Pete Seeger loom large in family lore.
After her children were grown, Joan worked at Saint Francis De Sales Church, the Music Department at R.P.I., and the New York State Department of Health.
While working, Joan filled her free time with courses at SUNY Albany. History and literature classes were always among her favorites.
It was a pleasure to see Joan engage people of all ages in wide ranging discussions from literature to environmental issues to the civil rights movement.
While working and studying, Joan's boundless energy and drive allowed her to continue studying the piano as well. She developed a love for early 20th century classical composers and ragtime. Scott Joplin's Bethena remains for us all as her theme song.
During their retirement Joan and Roger enjoyed travels to Ireland, the Canadian Maritimes and countless destinations across the U.S. They made many trips to see their children and grandchildren in San Francisco, stopping to explore the country along the way. Joan continued to enjoy musical performances, be they with her daughter at Live in HD Metropolitan Opera productions, with her sister Doris, a fellow season ticket holder at the Albany Symphony or playing duets with her granddaughter on violin. Music brought Joan comfort in her last years as she continued playing the piano. With a legacy of two generations of artists and arts appreciators, Joan had the good fortune to make a positive, lasting contribution to her world. Our gratitude is immeasurable.
Joan was born to Robert McCarney and Elizabeth Barry McCarney on June 10, 1932, in Watervliet.
She is survived by her six children, Patricia Ryan, Elizabeth Ryan (Michael Nelligan), John Ryan (Laura Koban), Mary Ryan, Joseph Ryan (Patty Sayer Ryan) and Anthony Ryan; and by her five grandchildren, Lucy and Grace Nelligan (Elizabeth), Darcy Ryan (John) and Grady and Will Ryan (Joseph).
Interment will follow in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.
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