Pauline Sistki Ryan

Pauline was born in Westville, Texas, on October 19, 1915, the second of five daughters born to Minnie Lou and Thomas Sistki. During the Great Depression, at age 20, she moved from rural Trinity County to Houston with nothing more than a suitcase, a few dollars and the address of the niece of a family friend, who kindly took Pauline in and helped her get on her feet in the “Big City”. In Houston, Pauline met and in 1937 married her husband and life partner of 60 years, Ernest Ryan, and in 1939 they had their children, Peggy and Tom. Together Pauline and Ernest worked industriously both in raising their two children and in establishing a number of successful family business ventures, including a milk distribution and wholesale business, a grocery store, a car dealership and a pallet business. In each of these business undertakings, Pauline brought to bear her considerable bookkeeping, financial and administrative skills, effectively acting as the “back office” of the operation. Through their years together, Pauline and Ernest enjoyed sharing in the lives of their growing family and in fellowship with their friends and classmates in the E.P. West Sunday School Class at Second Baptist Church.

To those who knew her, Pauline was a marvel of perseverance, hard work, determination, courage, strength of character, twinkle-in-the-eye humor, and dedication to family and friends. She was a woman of faith who will be deeply missed, and we thank God for the blessing she has been in our lives.

Pauline is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; her son-in-law, Donald Hicks; and four sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Peggy Ryan Hicks; her son, Thomas F. Ryan and his wife Sherry; six grandchildren: Keith Ryan and his wife Peggy, Stephanie Hicks Leggett and her husband John, Shelley Ryan, Ryan Hicks and his wife Kelly, Brett Ryan and his wife Kimberly, and Leslie Comstock and her husband Cory; eleven great-grandchildren; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Pauline’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the compassionate and loving care given her during her last months by Grace Nganga.

The memorial service was conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 21st of May, in the Hankamer Chapel of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive, with Reverend Charles Townsend officiating. Immediately following, all were invited to join the family at a reception at her home.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to The Guild Scholarship Fund at Houston Baptist University, 7202 Fondren Rd., Houston, Texas 77074; to the “Ticket to Heaven” Bible Study Class fund of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr., Houston, Texas 77057; or to a charity of your choice.