Ryan McNulty Ayers

Ryan McNulty Ayers was born on August 24, 1947 in South Carolina, to Major James K. and Doris S. McNulty. Growing up as an “Army brat,” Ryan lived in various places across the world, including Arkansas, Ohio, California, New Jersey, Texas, Okinawa (Japan), and Orleans (France). Her childhood was filled with adventure alongside her sisters, and she eventually settled in Killeen, Texas, where she graduated from Killeen High School in 1965.

In 1972, Ryan moved to Indiana, where she first resided in Crawfordsville with K. Michael Ayers before settling in Greenwood. There, she built a warm community of friends and raised her two children. She began her college education at Baylor University but paused her studies to focus on her family. After her children started college, she resumed her education and graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 1999. Ryan had a distinguished career as a legal secretary and later as a paralegal, working initially in a family law firm before transitioning to the legal department at Franciscan (formerly St. Francis).

Ryan’s love of reading and her dedication to learning led her to pursue a Master’s Degree in Library Science from IUPUI, which she completed in 2008. She fulfilled a long-held dream by becoming a librarian at Franciscan, where she worked until her retirement in 2018.

Her two children, Chip and Stephanie, were the heart of her life. Ryan was an ever-present supporter at baseball games, marching band events, and dance recitals, all while managing a full-time career. She instilled in her children the belief that they could accomplish anything with determination and emphasized the power of books as gateways to knowledge.

Despite the miles that sometimes separated them, Ryan remained a cherished “big sister” to her siblings, Scotti and Chrys. Among the many joys in her life, her relationship with her granddaughter, Grace, held a special place. Ryan and Grace shared a unique, loving bond that brought Ryan immense happiness over the past 11 years.

Ryan passed away peacefully this week after a brief battle with cancer. She is survived by her children, James K. “Chip” Ayers of Indianapolis, and Stephanie (Nick) Abisi of Carmel; her beloved granddaughter, Grace; her sister, Chrys (Monty) Forrestor of Dallas, Texas; and her niece, Amy (Shane) Hall of Boerne, Texas and many other beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Scotti McNulty.

In honoring her memory, the family invites those who knew her to find a good book and remember Ryan with fondness. A private service will be held at a later date.