Obituary for Sandra Ryan
Sandra Rieger Ryan, 89, of West Simsbury, CT, and most recently of Ashburn, VA, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2023. Born on June 30, 1934, in Philadelphia, Sandy was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was often reserved, always gracious, and had a mischievous sense of humor that brought a smile to those around her.
Sandy attended the Agnes Irwin School in Pennsylvania and Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire. After college and before marrying her beloved Harry, she criss-crossed the country by car with a friend - an adventure she never tired of reminiscing about!
Sandy found happiness spending time with her family and pursuing quiet interests. She was an avid bird-watcher and enjoyed taking long walks - including up to Simsbury’s Heublein Tower into her 80s. She loved observing the black bears and other wildlife in her backyard and was perhaps happiest tending to her beautiful gardens. Sandy also cherished her time playing bridge with a wonderful group of women in Simsbury. She was a woman of faith and worshipped at St. Mary's Church in Simsbury.
Sandy was raised in the Philadelphia suburb of Gladwyne, PA, but had called Simsbury, CT, home since 1970. She designed and built a beautiful home in West Simsbury, but her greatest source of pride was her three sons. Sandy never tired of hearing about their lives or of spending time with them and their families.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Harry Ryan of Ashburn, VA, and her three sons: Ken (Tammy) Ryan of Potomac Falls, VA; Mike (Heather) Ryan of West Simsbury, CT; and John (Blake) Ryan of West Hollywood, CA. Sandy was also a loving grandmother to Patrick (Shannon), Kevin (Alli), Collin, Rebecca, Christopher, and Nicholas Ryan. She is also survived by her nephew, Tom (Wendy) Summers, and niece, Sherrie Summers, both of Arizona; by her brothers-in-law, Chris Ryan of California and James (Una) Ryan of Illinois; and by her sisters-in-law, Eleanor Neubauer of Alaska and Suzanne Ryan of Illinois. Sandy was preceded in death by her sister Betty Lou Summers and her nephew Douglas Summers.
Interment will be private, and there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests considering contributions to the Ashby Ponds Staff Appreciation Fund (Ashby Ponds Philanthropy Manager, 21170 Ashby Ponds Blvd., Ashburn, VA 20147). The compassionate care provided by the staff at Ashby Ponds meant the world to Sandy’s family. Please visit Sandy’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Sandy attended the Agnes Irwin School in Pennsylvania and Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire. After college and before marrying her beloved Harry, she criss-crossed the country by car with a friend - an adventure she never tired of reminiscing about!
Sandy found happiness spending time with her family and pursuing quiet interests. She was an avid bird-watcher and enjoyed taking long walks - including up to Simsbury’s Heublein Tower into her 80s. She loved observing the black bears and other wildlife in her backyard and was perhaps happiest tending to her beautiful gardens. Sandy also cherished her time playing bridge with a wonderful group of women in Simsbury. She was a woman of faith and worshipped at St. Mary's Church in Simsbury.
Sandy was raised in the Philadelphia suburb of Gladwyne, PA, but had called Simsbury, CT, home since 1970. She designed and built a beautiful home in West Simsbury, but her greatest source of pride was her three sons. Sandy never tired of hearing about their lives or of spending time with them and their families.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Harry Ryan of Ashburn, VA, and her three sons: Ken (Tammy) Ryan of Potomac Falls, VA; Mike (Heather) Ryan of West Simsbury, CT; and John (Blake) Ryan of West Hollywood, CA. Sandy was also a loving grandmother to Patrick (Shannon), Kevin (Alli), Collin, Rebecca, Christopher, and Nicholas Ryan. She is also survived by her nephew, Tom (Wendy) Summers, and niece, Sherrie Summers, both of Arizona; by her brothers-in-law, Chris Ryan of California and James (Una) Ryan of Illinois; and by her sisters-in-law, Eleanor Neubauer of Alaska and Suzanne Ryan of Illinois. Sandy was preceded in death by her sister Betty Lou Summers and her nephew Douglas Summers.
Interment will be private, and there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests considering contributions to the Ashby Ponds Staff Appreciation Fund (Ashby Ponds Philanthropy Manager, 21170 Ashby Ponds Blvd., Ashburn, VA 20147). The compassionate care provided by the staff at Ashby Ponds meant the world to Sandy’s family. Please visit Sandy’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com