Elizabeth Ryan Bond

1917 - 2005

Elizabeth Ryan Bond, 87, a lifelong resident of Fort Worth, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, Feb. 13, 2005.

Memorial service: 3 p.m. Tuesday at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Tenth and Lamar streets. The Rev. Stanley Maneikis and the Rev. Bertrand N. Honea Jr. will officiate. Visitation: Her family will greet friends in the church's parish hall immediately following the service.

Honorary bearers will be all of Mrs. Bond's nephews, Kelly Ryan, Win Ryan, Chris Ryan, John Whitaker, John Ryan, Richard Ryan, Larry Chilton, Edward Muse and Will Bond.

Memorials: One of her guiding principles was "Save a little, spend a little and give a little away." Music was one of the great joys in her life, so memorial gifts may be made to the Fort Worth Symphony, 330 E. Fourth St., Fort Worth; or to a charity of choice.

Elizabeth Ryan Bond, the second of five children of Lucy Stripling Ryan and John C. Ryan Jr., was born May 18, 1917, in Fort Worth. After graduating from Central High School, she attended Smith College for two years. She was a lifelong member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, one of the original members of St. Monica's Guild, a member of the Assembly and the Junior League of Fort Worth.

Like so many others, she remembered vividly riding around Fort Worth on a Sunday afternoon when she heard the news about Pearl Harbor. She worked with the early computers during World War II and began a long and successful real estate career in the early 1960s.

Elizabeth Bond was Liz, Mother and Gal Pal, a wonderful friend, adept golfer, lover of the arts and enthusiastic traveler. A weekly bridge game with a group of friends known as the Platinum Girls was one of her treasured activities. She was an annual subscriber to the Fort Worth Symphony and the Fort Worth Opera. Her children followed her around Paris, France, on two trips after her 80th birthday.

Her son and daughter learned many of life's valuable lessons over the ping-pong table in the garage as they struggled to win just one game. Well-known for her quick wit and intelligence, her warmth and gentle compassionate understanding and acceptance won her young friends of all ages. She lived with a zest and love for life in all its dimensions.

Survivors: Son, Joe John Bond III of Fort Worth; daughter, Dr. Betsy Ryan Bond of New York; sisters, Lucy Ryan Muse and Anne Ryan Chilton and husband, William Ernest Chilton; sister-in-law, Nancy Royall Ryan; brother, Edwin Stripling Ryan and wife, Joan Kelly Ryan; brother-in-law, William James Bond and wife, Betty Beavers Bond; and numerous beloved family members and friends.