Martha Jo "Marti" (McMahan) Ryan

Mrs. Martha Jo “Marti” Ryan (née McMahan), a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on July 1, 2026, in Dallas, Texas following a recent diagnosis of lung cancer. She was 86 years old.

Born on July 4, 1939, in Pueblo, Colorado, Marti was the daughter of Gail Fay McMahan (née Jewell) and Charles Nathan McMahan. Her early years in Colorado laid the foundation for a life filled with curiosity, determination, and an enduring love of learning. She was especially proud of the awards she received for eight straight years of perfect school attendance, winning her local spelling bee and her weekly Sunday school attendance at the Episcopal church. At Pueblo Central High School, she made many memories playing flute and piccolo in the marching band, earning first chair honors each year. She was also selected as a delegate to Colorado Girls’ State.

She pursued her education with distinction, attending DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. As a freshman, Marti pledged Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and met the love of her life, Robert William Ryan (“Bob”), a handsome sophomore Sigma Chi from Indianapolis. Eighteen months later, the two married and soon welcomed their first child. Upon his graduation, Bob pursued a Masters Degree at the University of Michigan, where Marti transferred, baby in tow, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Education.

Marti spent her early married years raising her three children and supporting Bob’s career, relocating from Indianapolis to Dallas, Detroit and Jacksonville, Florida before finally settling in Dallas in 1976. Marti adapted to the changes with grace. Not only was she a steady presence for her family, she exemplified living a vibrant life enriched by her many passions and talents.

A lifelong athlete, she was a thirty year member of Bent Tree Country Club where she excelled as a championship-level tennis player, and brought her competitive spirit to golf, bridge, and mahjong. Her love of cooking was legendary; she delighted in entertaining guests with festive parties featuring adventurous menus that showcased her culinary skills. A month spent studying Italian cooking under Lorenza di Medici in Italy was one of the highlights of her life. Her Thanksgiving cornbread sausage dressing and summer strawberry-rhubarb pies were cherished traditions that will be fondly passed down. A woman of elegance and charm, Marti had an eye for jewelry from an early age but held an even greater affection for the many cats that were her lifelong companions. She was addicted to Diet Coke and reading, and indulged in them incessantly.

In the 1990s, Marti and Bob bought a vacation home in Deer Valley, Utah. She loved entertaining family and friends there, and looked forward to escaping the Texas summer heat to the cool mountain climate reminiscent of her Colorado youth. Her adventurous spirit extended to the world at large. She often described her safari through Kenya and Tanzania — her favorite trip — as mystical, and she fell in love with the elephants and lions she encountered there. Her love of animals took many forms: she adored dolphins after years spent living in Florida and vacationing in Hawaii, and she delighted in the hummingbirds that visited her home in Deer Valley. She marveled at the intelligence of these creatures and found endless joy in their beauty.

Marti’s professional journey was marked by her sharp intellect and dedication to helping others. After passing her exams to become an IRS Enrolled Agent, she embarked on a successful career as a tax consultant. She worked for many years at H & R Block as both a tax preparer and an instructor before founding her own business, Ryan Tax Service. In her work, she built lasting relationships with her clients and earned their trust through her expertise and professionalism. Additionally, she was firmly committed to community service and she volunteered in many capacities over the years. Highlights include serving on numerous HOA boards, being selected as President of Northwood Women’s Club and chairing its Kaleidoscope Gala, being an active Kappa Alpha Theta alumna including serving on the House Corporation Board at SMU, and being a proud member of Rotary Club.

Marti is survived by her three children: Deborah (“Debbie”) Ryan Kuntz (Louis), Dr. Katherine (“Katie”) Ryan Miciotto (Dr. Chris), and Scott McMahan Ryan (Tracy). She also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Ryan, Chase, Chris (Landa) and Cole Blakeley; Courtney Kuntz Kaplan (Adam); Kevin Kuntz (Jenni); Brynne Kuntz Harvey (Chris); Mitchell and Sarah Virginia Ryan, as well as five great-grandchildren: Paul, Henry and Graham Kuntz; Elena Ryan Blakeley; and Rio Kaplan.

She was predeceased by her parents, her devoted husband of 55 years, Bob; her sisters, Patricia Ann Miller and Marilyn Gail Glyn-Jones; brother-in-law, Dr. Charles David Ryan;

Marti’s legacy is one of love, laughter, resilience, and generosity — a life well-lived that touched countless hearts along the way. Her warmth and humor made her a beloved presence among friends and family alike. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to Marti’s exceptional caregivers, Crislo Dodson, Maria Raisa, Eden Cook, Lamerlou Poliarco and Helen Quipanes, whose compassion, positivity and tireless strength sustained our family through our mother’s illness.

Visitation and Funeral Services will be held at Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy, Dallas, Texas. Visitation will be Friday, July 17, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral Services will be July 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

In remembrance of this extraordinary woman who brought so much light into the world, those wishing to honor Marti are encouraged to celebrate life’s joys with loved ones and to consider supporting causes that touched her life: the American Cancer Society, Breakthrough T1D (formerly the JDRF), the Children’s Heart Foundation or Autism Speaks.