Carol Walker Ryan

Carol Walker Ryan, formerly of Devon, PA Carol Walker Ryan died unexpectedly on January 25, 2017, her 80th birthday. Carol was born in Belleville, IL and entered the University of Illinois, where she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, starred as the ingénue soprano lead in several of the university musicals, and in 1959 graduated Phi Beta Kappa, having majored in English. She went on to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Hawaii and worked as a teacher and an assistant to a US Congressman. In 1962 she married John Ryan. Their life together took them to Tulsa, OK, where their sons Bill and David were born. They later moved to the Philadelphia suburbs where she focused on raising two wonderful sons, now living with their families in Denver, and volunteering extensively in the community. In 1988 she and John amicably divorced. In 1991 she and Norman Racine, her college fiance, reunited and became a life-long couple, living in St. Charles, IL and Bonita Springs, FL and often traveling the world together. Carol earned an additional Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling, became a substance abuse and bereavement counselor, and carried on this practice for the rest of her life. She was a wonderful communicator and helped many people in many different ways. Carol was known to her extended family and grandchildren and to her many friends as a kind, thoughtful, loving and spiritual person capable of enlivening any group with her unflagging cheerfulness, deep faith and her wry humor. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her partner Norm Racine, his four daughters (Leslie, Patty, Mary, Miki) and spouses and 9 grandchildren; her two sons (Bill and Dave), their wives and four grandchildren; her brother Bill Walker, his wife, their two children and spouses and two grandchildren; and her first husband, John Ryan and his wife, Mary Gregg. Services were held on February 2, 2017 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Naples, FL and will be held at a later date in St. Charles, IL. Online condolences may be posted at http://www.shikanyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Carol-Ryan-4/