Marlene Ye Vonne Ryan

Marlene Harris Ryan passed away peacefully on February 18, 2023, in Peoria, AZ. She was born in Columbus, MT to Rev. Claire and Lillie Harris on January 24, 1936. She was the youngest of 4 children. She spent most of her childhood and adolescent years in Billings, MT. Her senior year of high school was spent in Portland, OR. After graduating high school, she found work as a bookkeeper and kept involved in the church where her father pastored. Her brother introduced her to, “the cute young man singing in the seminary quartet” and on May 16, 1957, she married Harry F. Ryan, the love of her life. Their wedding was officiated by Marlene’s father, Rev. Claire Harris and Harry’s father, Rev. Harry C. Ryan. While Harry finished seminary, Marlene began her life of taking care of their home and preparing to be a pastor’s wife serving with her husband.

Their first pastorate was in Beaver, OR where their first child Melodi was born. From OR they moved to IL where they served in churches at Woodbine, Smithfield, and Pointe Pleasant. Their twin boys, Jeffrey and Scott were born while serving in Smithfield.

From Smithfield, the family moved to Eloy, AZ. While Marlene took care of their home, children and served as pastor’s wife, she held a part time position as an office clerk at Curiel North Elementary School eventually moving to the Eloy Unified School District office to work in the department that serviced the needs of the students of the local migrant workers. She also played a very significant role in coordinating the Annual Turkey Dinner and Bizarre hosted by Eloy First UMC.

From Eloy the family moved to Phoenix, AZ. Harry and Marlene served the congregations of Desert West, which merged with Brooks to become Christ UMC, Paradise Valley and finally Bethel UMC where they retired their pastorate.

During the years of being wife, mother, homemaker, and pastor’s wife, there was a period Marlene served as an in-home childcare provider. While at Paradise Valley and Bethel, Marlene worked at Central UMC as the front desk receptionist and editor of Central’s church newsletter. (Mom’s editing skills were excellent! Anyone in the family who needed a paper edited for school would make sure to ask her. She also helped Dad edit his sermons. Thank you, Mom!)

After retirement Marlene and Harry kept busy. She loved being grandma and caring for her grandchildren. She was a loving caregiver to her mother and brother until their passing. They would travel during the summer months to visit family in CA and WA. She and Harry were always doing and enjoying something together. On March 10, 2021, the love of her life for 64 years went to be with the Lord. She missed her “doing something together” half very, very much.

Marlene’s favorite scripture was Psalms 121:1&2. While life brought its peaks and valleys, she always went back to this scripture, knowing that her help came from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Marlene is survived by her 3 children and their spouses, 5 grandchildren, her sister, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and her children’s friends who knew and loved her as their second mom. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandma, sister, aunt and friend! She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed!

In lieu of flowers, please donate to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org). Cards can be mailed to: Jeff Ryan, 22310 N. 94th Ln, Peoria, AZ 85383 or you can write on her memory page through Dignity Memorial, Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center.