Obituary of Shirley Ryan

Shirley Isobel Ryan (1929 – 2016) passed away on Tuesday, October 10 surrounded by members of her family. Shirley was predeceased by her father (Sidney Staines Salmon) and her mother (Marguerite ‘Poppy’ Eleanor Salmon). She leaves behind her husband of 55 years, Bill Ryan; her two sons Robert and Peter, their partners Roxanne and vicki, as well as various cousins around the country. To describe Shirley as a trailblazer would be putting it lightly. Following her schooling in her hometown of Toronto, Shirley entered the world of finance in the early 1950s, making a successful career at Wood Gundy in a variety of roles, including head of public relations. To say that she broke the so-called glass ceiling in the man’s world of 1950s downtown Toronto would be an understatement; she shattered it! In 1971 she and Bill relocated to Saskatoon, where she and Bill welcomed their two sons into the world. Shirley was the consummate, doting mother who took pride in her boys’ achievements, whether they be on the athletics track, in the classroom or especially the hockey rink. Wo betide any referee that made what she perceived to be a bad call against The Bobcats when Peter or Robert were on the ice. She could always be counted on to work as a volunteer at school carnivals, coordinating driving for sports games or helping deliver newspapers early in the morning when one of the boys happened to be ill. Her love of animals was well known, with many stray cats and dogs somehow finding their way into her home and heart with great ease. It was in Saskatoon that Shirley became a political animal of sorts, getting involved with the election campaign for friend Don Ravis in 1984, and managed a number of subsequent campaigns well into the 1990s. She mused several times about running for office herself, but circumstances always dictated otherwise. Despite being a true-blue Tory, Shirley forged warm friendships with politicians from other parties. She believed that you could disagree on policy matters, but that different political convictions did not mean you couldn’t be friends. In Saskatoon, Shirley worked in a variety of careers, ranging from publishing The Saskatoon Commentator (weekly newspaper with Bill). She sat on the Airport Authority Board for eight years and was president of the Mendel Art Gallery Board for a number of years. However, it was with the North Saskatoon Business Association that she truly fell into a role of her lifetime. As executive director, she managed to grow the presence of the organization’s influence in civic and provincial affairs, increase the group’s membership and organize many successful events. It was during this time that she was honored as one of the most influential women in Saskatchewan, an accolade that she cherished but took in her usual humility. At her retirement banquet held in 2009, she was praised from many corners of the city, which meant the world to her. The NSBA was a source of pride, energy and friendships for Shirley, and was truly a hallmark of her full life. Shirley Ryan will be missed by many. Her influence and legacy will certainly be felt in Saskatoon for time to come. The role model that she serves to young women looking to make careers cannot be underestimated. The memories that she leaves behind with her friends and family will be treasured.