Frances Ryan

Frances was born on February 12, 1917 in Washington, D.C. to Jerome and Essie Rogers. Her brother Jerome Stanley Rogers II was born December 17, 1918. Frances and her adored brother Stan grew up in Morganton, NC. Frances graduated valedictorian of her high school class in 1933. She attended Oberlin College and received a B.A. in 1938. After college, Frances participated in a graduate work/study program at the Institute of Living in Hartford, CT. The Institute, one of the first mental health centers in the U.S., served some European royalty. One of the many things that Frances said she learned there was that “money doesn’t bring happiness.”

Frances married Charles Ryan in November 1940 in Washington D.C. They had been married for 58 years when he passed away in 1999. Frances and Charles had four children: Charles Ryan Jr., Kathleen Ryan, Nancy Streeter (now deceased) and Roberta Williams. When her youngest child was school aged, Frances began working at Highland Park Elementary School in Manchester, CT where she enjoyed teaching for 19 years.

Frances has four grandchildren: Amanda Streeter, Jeffrey Streeter, Ryan Williams and Jason Williams and two great-grandchildren: Rebecca Streeter and Lily Streeter. All have brought her great joy.

Frances and Charles bought their house in Chatham in 1976 and retired here in 1978. Frances enjoyed world travel, visiting with family and friends, gardening, reading, Sudoku, and photography. Several of her pictures were printed in the Cape Cod Times. Frances was kind, loving, patient and generous. She had clarity of thought and insight even in her 97th year.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a service of remembrance at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road, Chatham on Saturday, November 16th at 11:00 AM. If attending the service, the family requests casual dress. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Chatham Council on Aging, 193 Stony Hill Road, Chatham, MA 02633, The Snow Library, 67 Main Street, Orleans, MA 02653, or the charity of one’s choice. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.