Joan Mary Ryan

Joan Ryan, long-time resident of Oak Park, passed away peacefully on October 25th, 2025, at the age of 92. Joan, along with her husband Jack, loved Oak Park and the many opportunities it provided their family. She graduated from Loyola University of Chicago with a degree in nursing, working and teaching in many Chicago area hospitals, eventually becoming the Director of the Infant Welfare clinic in Oak Park. She was an active member of Ascension and St. Giles parishes and a devoted docent at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio for over 35 years. Joan loved playing tennis, cooking, travelling, and attending the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera, and Goodman Theater. A devoted mother, she encouraged her children to explore their interests, attending more baseball, hockey, and volleyball games than can be counted, as well as hundreds of recitals, concerts, and plays.

Joan is lovingly remembered by her sister Barbara (Tony Schmeltz); son David (Theresa) and their children Joe (Courtney), Courtney, John, and Maeve Ryan; daughter Sara (Malcolm Warner) and their children Madeline and Charlie; daughter Patricia (Brian Faut) and their children Conor, Gillian and Ryan; and daughter Molly (Peter Quinn) and their children Natalie and Benjamin; great-grandsons Jack and Weston Ryan and many nieces and nephews. Joan is pre-deceased by her loving husband John (Jack) Ryan and granddaughter Isabel Warner.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Infant Welfare Society of Oak Park. https://oprfiws.org/support-us