Joan Merriman Ryan

Joan Merriman Ryan, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026, in Spokane, Washington. She was 83 years old.

Born on April 15, 1942, in Spokane, Washington, Joan was the beloved daughter of Guy Shelledy and Marie Jeannette Soderberg. She was raised in Spokane and attended St. Augustine Catholic School and Holy Names Academy before continuing her education at Seattle University.

On December 28, 1963, Joan married the love of her life, Dennis Stephen Ryan, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Spokane. Early in their marriage, Joan and Dennis made their home in Visalia, California, and later in Monterey, California, where they began building their life together and raising their family. Joan worked as a Special Education Teacher's Aide in Monterey, a role that reflected her gentle spirit, patience, and deep compassion for children. Eventually, they returned to Spokane, where Joan spent the next 35 years rooted in the community she always cherished as home.

Joan embraced life with joy and gratitude. She loved snow skiing and ice skating, and treasured long summer days spent at the lake floating on her air mattress. She found happiness collecting seashells on the beach, watching Disney movies and playing basketball with her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and always had a stack of books nearby. A loyal Gonzaga Bulldogs fan, she enthusiastically cheered on her Zags. Her love of music filled her home and her heart, second only to her boundless love for her family.

Above all else, Joan was devoted to her family. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Dennis Stephen Ryan, her sons, Patrick J. Ryan and Sean C. Ryan, and her daughter, Ellen M. Ferrell. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Alyssa Garrison, Cole Ferrell, Colin Ryan, and Ashley Ryan, and a joyful great-grandmother to one great-grandson.

Joan was the oldest of ten children. She is survived by her brother, Guy Merriman, and her sisters, Ellen Presley, Molly Spilker, and Ann Price. Joan is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her brothers Mike Merriman, Jim Merriman, George Merriman, Peter Merriman and Timothy Merriman.

Joan's kindness, steady faith, playful spirit, and unwavering devotion to those she loved will be remembered always. Her legacy lives on in the family she adored and the countless lives she touched.

A funeral service will be held on March 14, 2026 at 1:00pm at the University Chapel at Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, Washington (3rd Floor of College Hall, Main Administration Building).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to a charity of your choice in Joan's memory.