Pamela S. Lawniczak

Pamela Sue Ryan-Lawniczak was born October 19, 1945 to Melba Louise (Ogle) Ryan and Willis Porter Ryan in Toledo, Ohio. She passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026. She attended Horace Mann School, and Whitmer High School. While at Whitmer she developed a love of journalism while working on the school newspaper, and a lifelong enjoyment of the arts while participating in the theater department.

After high school Pam attended the University of Toledo. While studying she also worked at Toledo Hospital in the purchasing agents office. After college Pam joined the newly created VISTA “Volunteers in Service To America” program. (VISTA is an anti-poverty program created by Lyndon Johnson's Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as the domestic version of the Peace Corps. Volunteers served in communities throughout the U.S., focusing on enriching educational programs and vocational training for the nation's underprivileged classes.) While working with the VISTA program in Arizona Pam met her dearest friend, Luba “Cookie” Blake.

On March 27, 1976 she married David John Lawniczak at Grace Lutheran Church in Toledo. To this Union were born Matthew William Lawniczak, and Meghan Rose Louise Lawniczak. The kids grew up in Walbridge, Ohio, and attended Lake Local Schools. Pam was very active in school activities serving on the PTA, where she made many lifelong friends. Pam also adopted Dave’s grandchildren from his first marriage as her own.

Pam worked as a teacher for various schools, both full time and as a substitute. She also spent much of her time giving back to her community, being very active with organizations like the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Make-A-Wish, and the Bay Park Auxiliary. Later in their lives, Pam lived with and cared for her parents, Willis & Melba.

Pam was also heavily involved with the study of metaphysics. She worked as a professional psychic (as Pam Ryan) in the Toledo area; meeting many people through fairs, working at Rainbows & Roses and the Healing Oasis, and giving individual readings. She attended and was active at the Goodwill Spiritualist Church in Walbridge, Ohio.

Pam was also very passionate about her family’s history, spending much of her time researching the family genealogy. Her efforts culminated in September of 2023 when she visited England & Ireland, and was able to see where the Ryan family had lived before leaving for the US.

She is survived by her two children, brother Willis “Woody” Ryan, former daughter-in-law Melissa (Randall) Fancher, grandkids Courtney (Virginia) Walker, Ben (Kelly) Lawniczak, and Andrew (Brittany) Fancher, and six great-grandkids. She was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years Dave, and her parents Willis & Melba.

Pam did not want a traditional funeral or memorial service, and instead wants her many friends & family to gather for a celebration of life. Details will be provided at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

The family would like to thank the entire staffs of Westerville Post Acute, and Compassus OhioHealth Hospice for the absolutely wonderful care she received from them.