Obituary of Mildred Ryan

Mildred A. Ryan Mildred died on Tuesday June 2, 2009, at Roo Lan Health Care Centre in Lacey. Mildred was born Amelia Anna Robertson McDonald on December 16, 1911 in Chimacum, Washington to Jesse McDonald (Anderson) and Daniel McDonald. She graduated in 1930 from Seattle’s Lincoln High School. Mildred was called Mamie by her family and wasn’t even aware that her real name was Amelia. When she was a bit older she decided that Mamie was too childish a name and a family friend, Kathleen Staves suggested that she use the name Mildred. Mildred was the eldest of three children and she always had a love for music and dancing. She was an accomplished piano player and a fine singer. She met her future husband Carl Ryan some time in the early 1940’s at Woodland Park Presbyterian, where they both sang in the choir. They married in September of 1943 and then moved to a small apartment in Seattle before moving to Alderwood Manor, near Lynwood (north of Seattle), where Carl built their home on the acre of land Jesse McDonald gave them as a wedding present. Jesse lived next door to Mildred and Carl until her death in 1957. In 1973, Mildred and Carl moved to Broadview in Seattle, to Edmonds in1984, and finally, in 1988, to Vista Village in Lacey where they were to spend the next 15 years. Throughout their almost 60 years of marriage, Millie and Carl were avid square and round dancers. She was a friend to many, always willing to help and serve others. She was active in the PTA at Mountlake Terrace High School, in church affairs at Olympic View Community Church in Seattle and helped prepare meals at the Union Gospel Mission in Seattle. Even in her last years at Merrill Gardens and Roo-Lan Healthcare Center, Millie made many friends. Millie is survived by her sister Pat Wheeler, her son Dan Ryan, daughter Gail Ryan, granddaughters Dundee Ryan, Aja Ryan and Brittany Ryan, and great grandchild T‘Neil Wise. There will be a memorial service for Mildred Ryan at the Vista Village Community Center clubhouse on Saturday June 6, 2009 at 1pm. All are welcome. The family suggests no flowers, but donations can be made to the Thurston County Food Bank, 220 N.E. Thurston, Olympia, Washington, 360-352-8597. You may leave memories and condolences by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.