Peggy Hebert Ryan passed away peacefully after a short illness on July 14, 2020. Peggy was a proud native Houstonian, born the third daughter of Houston restauranteur, Clifton Hebert and his wife, Lula. She graduated from St. Agnes Academy and attended University of Houston in addition to helping at the family restaurant, Hebert’s Ritz Restaurant, checking hats and coats for tips. She attended USO dances and socials with her older sisters, Derrell and Joyce, and worked as a “hall girl” at Humble Oil in downtown Houston after college.
Peggy had many interests. A voracious reader, she always had reading material close at hand, whether it was a book, newspaper or Readers Digest. Her love of humorous (and sometimes slightly baudy!) ‘cowboy poetry’ inspired her to compose her own poems. One she titled, “Mooning”, was inspired by her youngest son and daughter, after the son’s rehearsal dinner prior to his wedding. (We won’t go into details here on that one!) Always thoughtful of her children, even when some moved far away, they enjoyed her little ‘care packages’ she’d set aside with articles, books, or memorabilia which she’d send to them on occasion. Gardening was also a hobby that she thoroughly enjoyed all of her life. Her backyard garden was a beautiful site to see with a wide variety of fruit trees, plants and flowers, which she lovingly shared and traded cuttings with friends and family members. She was an avid photographer and had several cameras over the years from Brownies to digital cameras, mastering the new technology and taking wonderful pictures with each one. Thanks to her we have numerous photo albums recording the events of her life, as well as records of all the trips she and Paul took traveling around the world in their retirement.
Her sense of humor and flair for the dramatic was hilarious at times. One instance of her arriving at the airport to pick up one of her daughters, not only drew several amused stares from the crowd, but quickly turned into peals of laughter when with one hand in the air, she ‘struck a pose’ in a hot-pink wig to grab her daughter’s attention!
She met her future husband, Paul Ryan, through her Aunt Florence of New Orleans, who was good friends with Paul’s mother, Grace Ryan. Paul traveled frequently from New Orleans to Houston on business and her aunt suggested she introduce him to some nice girls. Peggy said, with a smile, “I was the nicest girl I knew”, and that was the beginning of a beautiful life-long romance.
After dating for 18 months, Paul asked her what she wanted for Christmas. Her answer was, “How about an engagement ring?” She said,” You could have knocked Paul over with a feather.” She got her proposal and ring. The wedding was set for May, but Paul was in the U.S. Air Force and was required to report for duty the 2nd week of April. The wedding was moved up to April 1, 1951 (April Fool’s Day) which was the first Sunday available to have the reception at the family’s restaurant, Hebert’s Ritz Restaurant. They were married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Houston on April 1, 1951 with the reception following at the Ritz.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parent’s, Clifton and Lula Hebert, her sisters Derrell Hebert Moore and Joyce Hebert Furr, her son Paul V. Ryan II, and grandson Clinton J Ryan. And followed 4 months later by the love of her life, Paul, husband of 69 years.
She is survived by daughters, Patricia Ryan Gibson and Sharon Ryan Anderson (Richard) and sons William J Ryan (Sandy) and Kevin P Ryan (Tracy), 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Peggy will be buried next to her husband, Paul, of 69 years at Forest Park Lawndale funeral home on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 3:00PM. Funeral attendees will meet in the lobby of the funeral home at 2:30 - 2:45PM and proceed to the burial site. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a United States Veteran’s association or your favorite charity.
A Celebration of Life and Love will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 3:00PM – 6:00PM at the Houston Yacht Club located at 3620 Miramar Drive, Shoreacres Texas 77571.
Dear Family and Friends,
It is with a heavy heart I send this message to you. The last year has been very tough on all of us. We have delayed the funerals due to the Covid-19 virus and not being able to have all the kids come together. With Bill in Alaska and Sharon and her family in Maine, Kevin and family in San Marcos and I am here in La Porte. With all the restrictions it has been difficult.
If you are able to attend the Funeral and/or Celebration of Life & Love, we would love to see you. Men, we ask that you NOT wear black or suits (Dad hated black.) We ask the men to wear Mexican wedding shirts or Hawaiian shirts(his favorite) or anything bright and cheery. Ladies; sundresses or bright summery clothes. Mom’s favorite color was Kelly green or yellow. We totally understand if you feel uncomfortable getting out among other people.
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