Phyllis Margaret RYAN

Born in Regina, Phyllis was raised on a farm near Whitewood, Saskatchewan. She always retained a strong connection to her prairie roots having lived her first year in a log cabin, attended a one-room school house, boarded in town to attend high school, and returned home to help run the farm after graduation. She was among the first women to join the Canadian Armed Forces, enlisting in the RCAF Women’s Division in 1943. This opened a whole new world of travel for her as she was posted across Canada but was also posted to England immediately after the war. She was able to visit several European countries during her stay and had the unusual experience of flying home to Canada in an airplane – a rare opportunity in 1946. She was very proud of being a veteran; she was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and attended many conventions of the RCAF – WD.

 Phyllis attended the University of Toronto, graduating in 1949 with a diploma in Occupational Therapy. While at university she met and married Terrence Ryan. Together they moved to British Columbia, first to Vancouver and then to the Comox Valley, which has been her home since the early 50s. Phyllis and Terry were married for 40 years, raising their family and becoming strongly rooted in the community, supporting many aspects of community life including being strong supporters of the CYMC, the North Island College, and the Kiwanis Village. In recent years, she established a scholarship at the North Island College, to honour Terry’s commitment to the creation of this institution.

 Phyllis has been a long-time member of the Naturalists Society, the Kiwassas, St. John’s Anglican Church, Elder College, and the Thirty-Niners Hiking Club. She delivered Meals-on-Wheels for almost 40 years. Always interested in learning new things, she continued to be active in a book club, played Scrabble regularly at the Filberg Centre, worked out twice a week at the CRA, and attended a yearly book discussion at the Banff Centre. She was an active member of the Woolgatherers (weaving and spinning guild) and was never without some form of handwork to keep herself busy. In her senior years, Phyllis became an avid traveler visiting places as diverse as Kenya, the Baltic Sea, Haida Gwaii, Australia, New Zealand, Malta, Newfoundland, Cuba, Mexico and many countries in Europe.  As recently as this year, she left on her 94th birthday for a 2 week vacation in England and Scotland. She dies with 6 years left on her passport, evidence of an optimistic attitude.

 Phyllis was remarkably healthy so her death comes as a surprise to all. She was unassuming and humble but always capable and independent. She has been unfailingly supportive and encouraging for her daughters, her grandchildren, her nieces and nephews and a wide circle of friends. She has been a role model for all of how to live a peaceful, joyful and productive life without judgement but with grace, vibrancy and love. She will be greatly missed but lovingly remembered.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, Margaret and John More; siblings, Josephine Stonehocker, Donald and Eric More; husband, Terrence Ryan; son, Gordon Ryan.  She is survived by brother, Monty More; daughters, Shelagh Lamperson, Kathleen and Eileen Ryan; grandchildren Emma and Graeme Lamperson.

 A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 11th, 2017 at Church of St. John The Divine, 579 – 5th Street, Courtenay. In lieu of flowers, please consider honouring Phyllis' memory by making a donation to the North Island College Bursary Endowment Fund or a charity of your choosing.