Maurine Ryan, who lived and shared her life to explore, enjoy, welcome and preserve, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends in Coupeville on Oct. 12, 2011 at the age of 105.
Maurine was born in Oberlin, Ohio, on May 26, 1906, where her parents LeRoy and Pearle Partch were graduate students at Oberlin College. They moved to Connecticut where her father received his degree in theology at Yale University.
The family moved to Wisconsin in 1916, and all of Maurine’s school years through college took place there, including graduation from the University of Wisconsin in 1927.
The following year Maurine received a scholarship at Simmons College School of Social Work in Boston, where she received a master’s degree in social science.
Her first employment was as a social research assistant at the Yale University Hospital, followed by a civil service position with the U.S. Children’s Bureau. Later, she was a psychiatric social worker at the veterans hospitals in Perry Point, Md., New York City, N.Y. and Los Angeles, Calif.
In 1934, Maurine drove her Chevrolet Coupe from New York to California, following old Route 66, visiting relatives along the way. She made that trip, and what turned out to be a move to California, with her great aunt. Her first work in California was as a social worker for the All Nations Clinic in Los Angeles and the Assistance League in Hollywood.
In 1936, Maurine married Allen “Al” Ryan in Palo Alto, Calif. and they lived in Southern California until retiring to Whidbey Island in 1971.
During World War II years, when Al was overseas with Combat Engineer Battalion 276, Maurine completed requirements to become a certified medical technologist. She served as chief medical technologist at San Fernando Hospital for 21 years.
The Ryans actively supported the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, Wilderness Society, Southern Poverty Law Center, and American Friends Service Committee.
While in California, the Ryans organized and directed the Audubon Student Naturalist Association program for high school students, which lead to life-long friendships with many program participants.
The Ryans had chosen their retirement home near Coupeville in 1960 while on a vacation backpack trip in the Olympic Mountains. Upon relocating here, they became actively involved in environmental and community affairs, including SWIFT (Save Whidbey Island for Tomorrow) and Save the Trees.
The Ryans were instrumental in the preservation of Keystone Spit, added to Fort Casey State Park, and Maurine’s legacy was honored with the naming of a new section of the Wilbert Trail at South Whidbey State Park. In 2009, Maurine was recognized by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust as one of several worthy “Conservation Heros.”
The Ryans were inveterate travelers and backpackers and spent many vacations exploring and enjoying places of natural beauty not only in many parts and parks of the United States and Canada but throughout the world, including Madagascar and the Seychelles, Africa, Micronesia, China and Japan. They shared their love of all aspects of nature’s grandeur with others, always wanting to impart the importance of conservation and preservation for future generations.
Maurine’s husband, Al, preceded her in death in 1985.
She was the oldest of five incredible siblings, predeceased by all: Lotze Partch, Robert Partch, Max Partch and Elizabeth Normoyle Adams.
While the Ryans had no children of their own, their lives were enriched with a large family and a wealth of special friends. The lives of their 13 nieces and nephews and their families (from a 75-year-old nephew to a great-great grand nephew of 11 months) have been profoundly enriched by special times and wonderful adventures spent with Uncle Al and Aunt Maurine. Many student naturalists became part of the extended family. In 1978, the Ryans became grandpa and grandma for their namesake to Ryan Stribling, her sister, Celeste, her brother, Christopher, their mother, Carol Ann, and their father, Tom. The family now includes Celeste’s son, Noah; the children of Christopher and wife Tanya, Isabella, Fletcher Allen and Sophia Maurine; and Travis Alley.
Maurine’s wish, her words: “May you never lose a sense of wonder, reverence and adventure. May you live long and useful lives in good health and in a world of peace.”
She will be remembered for the always welcoming open door at their “Bed-Breakfast-Lunch and Dinner Inn,” her incredible memory for family history and delightful stories, her unending generosity, the loving twinkle in her eyes and the sheer strength of her being.
Arrangements for Maurine’s memorial service are pending. There will be further notice.
Memorial gifts may be made to:
The Al Ryan Memorial Scholarship Fund with the Student Conservation Association, 689 River Road, Charlestown, NH
03603-0550; or The Whidbey Camano Land Trust, 765 Wonn Road, Barn C-201, Greenbank, WA 98253.
