Joan Marie Ryan

William J. (Bill) Ryan and Mary E. (Molly) Keating. Her early education was at St. Joseph’s

School in North Sydney.

She was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University (B.Comm) and

received a Master’s degree in Economics from Columbia University in New York. For many

years, she was a member of the Congregation de Notre Dame (Mother Saint Joan Myriam) and

taught High School in Whitney Pier, Port Hood, and Mabou. Asked to serve in Japan in 1960,

she spent several years in Fukushima, Japan. There she established a Business Program at

Sakura no Seibo Junior College and was Principal of the Junior/Senior High School.

Upon her return to Canada, she was Dean of Women at St. Francis Xavier University (1969-

1973). After a year of Post-Graduate study at the University of Minnesota, she accepted a

position on the Faculty of Mount St. Vincent University. There she taught in the Department of

Secretarial Arts (later Office-Administration), was Chair of the Department, and served on many

University Committees including the Senate. She served in a number of administrative positions

including Acting Dean of Professional Studies and was Assistant Dean of Human and

Professional Development during her last years at the Mount before retiring in 1992.

She is survived by her sister, Maureen Cochrane, Vancouver; her niece, Brenda Ryan (Michael

MacCormick), Halifax; her sister-in-law Emelie Ryan, Edmonton; her sister-in-law Joanne

Marshall-Forgie-Ryan, Shediac Cape; and numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and

grandnephews in New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, the US, and Bermuda.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers: Jim, Ottawa; Terry, Shediac Cape; and

Marty, Edmonton.

We would like to thank the staff of Unit 8.1 at the Halifax Infirmary for the excellent care and

the kindness provided to her during her stay there. We would also like to thank Dr. Judith Mader

and Dr. Valerie Lewis and the staff of Parkland Estates Clayton Park for their care and support

over the years.

Arrangements have been entrusted to J. A. Snow Funeral Home. On line condolences can be

made at www.jasnowfuneralhome.com A service will be held at a later date.