Date de Décès: 2009-09-19
Date de Parution: 2009-09-24
Source: Ottawa Citizen, ON
RYAN, Muriel Nadine Of Nepean at the age of 94 years. Daughter of George and Florence Sexty and wife of the late Albert (Bunt) Ryan. Sister of the late Gordon and Brian Sexty; survived by brother Roger of Okotoks, Alberta. Mother of Margaret Louise (Peggy) Florida (Bill Blackstone) and Janis Patricia (Pat) Hendry (George). Dear friend and mentor to Cassie (Peter) Webb. Proud Grandmother and North Star to Michelle (Greg) Florida Colley, David Florida, Christopher (Ruby) Hendry, and Matthew Hendry and great Grandmother to Robbie Hendry. Known as "Munga" to family and friends of all generations. Saturday September 19th 2009 marked the end of a long and admirable life for Muriel Ryan. She was born on the open prairie at 7-15-26 west of the 3rd near Golden Prairie, Saskatchewan in 1915, the child of pioneering parents. Life on the homestead and through the great depression molded the strong, community focused person she became. Munga was always involved in activities that strengthened her community. From early days in Saskatoon she was active in organizations such as Home and School and the Saskatoon Figure Skating Club. Later, in Ottawa, she participated actively in the Nepean Horticultural Society (of which she was a founding and life member), the City View Newsletter and the Clarion (both of which she edited), the King's Daughters (she delivered meals on wheels for 35 years), the Nepean Seniors Centre, the Nepean Songsters, and the condo community that she helped plan and realize. She was a gardener extraordinaire and a committed supporter of local charities that helped people get back on their own feet. She was a genius at solving problems with materials at hand. She made all her own and her family's clothing for several decades. She enjoyed making everything from buttons and leather gloves to aluminum awnings and wooden lawn chairs. She could create miracles from the contents of a garden and a fridge. Munga was a lifelong learner, always engaged, endlessly curious, and never bored. She surfed the net and communicated electronically with friends and family throughout the world. Her sense of adventure led her to outdoor adventuring in Prince Albert National Park, to exploring Europe, UK, Ethiopia, China, Bali, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica and the breadth of Canada. One of her most satisfying trips was back to the old homestead during Saskatchewan's centennial year - a place she had last seen 81 years previously. Munga began her professional career as a legal secretary and worked in several capacities during her life. She had a dressmaking and button business, worked as a secretary at the Central Experimental Farm, and edited several publications, including the Canadian Surveyor. Equally important, she ran her home in such a way that her family and friends of the family could always regard home as a safe nest to return to. Munga had friends from all generations. She always believed that a gift from the heart was better than anything that money could buy, and she gave the gift of her counsel, wisdom and friendship to all. She was a proudly independent woman who encouraged independence in others. She was patient, fair minded, circumspect and she respected the privacy of others. In accordance with her wishes there will not be a funeral, but a celebration of her life is being planned and will be announced in the coming months. Munga was always generous in her support of charities that build community. The family will make a donation to Palliative Care Outreach Program, the organization that provided warm and compassionate palliative care in recent months. In memory of her wonderful life, memorial contributions to this or any organization that strengthens community would be appreciated. Tributes, condolences or donations may be made through www.colefuneralservices.com . Published in the Ottawa Citizen from 9/24/2009- 9/25/2009