Susan Denise Ryan Owens

Susan Denise Ryan Owens, 50 of Maysville passed away Friday, June 17,2011 with her family by her side at the Ben Roach Cancer Care Facility, Markey Cancer Center in Lexington. Mrs. Owens was born in Maysville September 25, 1960 to Ronald J. and Edith Phillips Ryan. Mrs. Owens a 1978 graduate of Mason County High School, graduated from Hanover college in Hanover, IN in 1982 and later received her MBA from Indianapolis University. During the summer months she worked at the Citizens Deposit Bank in Tollesboro. After graduating she worked as the Assistant to the Operations Manager at Florence Deposit Bank in Florence, KY. Upon her marriage to Richard Owens in 1984 the newlyweds moved to Maysville where she worked as the Assistant Manager at the family business, Ryan Farm Supply. In 1987 the couple moved to Indianapolis, IN where she taught business education and computer technology at Beech Grove High School for six years. In 1993 Susan and Richard returned to Maysville and she continued teaching business and computer technology at Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Jr./Sr. High School (RULH) in Ripley for the next five years. During this time she served on numerous advisory boards and professional committees and received the following professional recognition: the 1994 Outstanding Staff Member Awarded by RULH Student Council; the 1995 Exceptional Achievement Award conferred by the Regional Parent Advisory Council, the Governing Board of Hopewell Special Education Regional Resource Center; the 1995 RULH School District Teacher of the Year; and the 1996 Walmart Teacher of the Year. In 1998 Susan became the District Technology Coordinator at RULH Schools and during her tenure in this position, she was instrumental in obtaining over 2 million in state and federal grant for school technology and other learning programs. These professional contributions were recognized when she received the OACHE Educator of the Year in 2005 and the Leadership in Education Award from the Buckeye Association of School Administrators for two consecutive years. In 2010, Susan accepted the position of RULH Elementary School Principal where she focused on a new leaning methodology called the Response to Intervention and her contribution to this endeavor will be seen for years to come. She actively sought staff input throughout all administrative decisions. She strived to involve parents at all levels of the educational process and was committed to maintaining the most parental involvement possible for the benefit of the children. Community activities included service as the Treasurer for the Mason County 4-H Council and a Leader for the Mason County 4-H Horse Club. She was an active member of the Orangeburg Christian Church where she served as deacon, Secretary to the church board, Sunday School Teacher and a member of the church choir. She is survived by her husband, Richard Owens, son Ryan Nathaniel Owens, her parents Ronald and Edith Ryan all of Maysville, one sister, Kathi Ryan (Ralph) Rinesmith of Cincinnati. Services will be Monday, June 20, 2011 at 11 A.M. at the Orangeburg Christian Church. Rev. Norman Wasson and Pastor Martin Voiers are officiating. Burial will follow in the Maysville Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Keith Phillips, Chan Phillips, Ralph Rinesmith, Bill Porter, Tripp Fetter, and Jackson Tolle. Visitation will be Sunday, June 19, 2011 at the Ripley Elementary School from 4 until 8 P.M. Memorials may be made to Orangeburg Christian Church, c/o Stanley Hesler, 7135 Mt. Carmel Road, Maysville, KY 41056.