How do we describe Patricia Ryan? How do we honor her? She wouldn't like it. She quietly went about doing everything for everyone and made it look easy. Her love and devotion to her family and friends were only matched by her love of our Savior Jesus Christ. That love was elegantly worn by her in how she treated us as children, how she selflessly served our father, those she served in her callings in the Church or the caregivers who came to help her. People felt her goodness, her quiet blanket of love, she was an angel.
She didn't seek titles but always was the leader. She got the job done. Her service in the Church was extensive. As President of the Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women's organizations, she tackled the task at hand, got it done WELL, and asked what's next. Her favorite calling was Camp Director with the Young Women. She loved spending time with the girls, laughing with them and playing pranks on them - because under that elegant exterior, she was one of them.
She was an incredible seamstress. She made beautiful Easter, Christmas and school outfits for all five of us all though our childhoods. And we have pictures to prove it. She made dolls, bears, and blankets for all her children and baby receiving blankets, quilts and handmade items as grandchildren started coming. We cherish the time, the love and the memories in each item she worked on.
In 1980 she went to work for the Utah State Legislature. First, as a House of Representatives secretary, then on the floor of the House as one of the clerks which led to her love and knowledge of politics. She went on to work at the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah as the Intern Coordinator until she retired in 2000. She could discuss policy, inform about legislation and tell you about candidates because she knew them and probably placed them as interns, locally as well as in Washington, D.C.
She loved to be on the go. Whether it be in the motor home, on a road trip, on a plane heading to adventures or under the stars by the campfire in the Tetons. She could entertain, cook and garden like crazy. She could gather all five of us to help in whatever was happening, get us working and teach us how to handle big projects whether they were trips to Lake Powell, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, wedding celebrations in the backyard or simple Sunday afternoons on the front porch. Did we tell you she was amazing?
One of her greatest legacies is the love story she and Dad share. Sweethearts since they were in Jr. High and married in September 11, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple after Mom had graduated from South High School. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary and shared a life full of love. Their example to us as family is of an enduring, working, devoted relationship. We were the luckiest family to have been raised with their example.
She tells of how she always had a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She said she was born with it. How lucky we are having lived in a family led by a mother with daily faith, quiet testimony and excellent example.
She was our wife, mom, nana, sister, taskmaster, auxiliary leader, camp master, seamstress, cook, hostess, friend, confidant, and daughter of our Father in Heaven. She was born to Lee Ralph and Doris Baxter Fry. Her favorite role was that of being 1st mate on the good ship Pisces at Lake Powell with her love as captain.
We'll miss her so.
Thank you to Cottonwood Creek Assisted Living Center, Canyon Creek Assisted Living, Hillside Rehabilitation, Highland Care and especially Encompass Hospice. There are too many to name individually who have helped both Mom and Dad. You're not just caregivers, doctors or wonderful hospice workers. For us you are more. Because of your kind care, tender time with Pat, you are now part of our family. We will always love you.
We celebrate her life, we mourn her passing and are glad her limitations are over. She passed away on October 25th, 2018 in Holladay, Utah of breast cancer. She is survived by her husband, William Ryan, children and spouses; Tristan Shields, Curtis Ryan (Faith), Heidi Skanchy (Tony), Holly Decker (Drake), Craig Ryan (Julie), 14 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Penny Gough. A viewing will be held Monday, October 29th from 6-8 pm at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 30th at 2 pm at the same location with a viewing one hour prior. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary.
