Barbara Ryan

Barbara Ryan was born on 28th July 1931, she was the 2nd eldest of 10 children to Albert and Hannah Marychurch. She married Kevin Ryan in 1951 and had 4 children.

While her children were at school, she would volunteer in the library, either teaching Chess to the students or covering the books. Her sister liked to joke that Nana must have covered every book in the school library. She later worked in the library and continued to teach the children at the school chess. Her love for chess didn’t just stop with the children at school. She taught all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren how to play. Many a Sunday lunch was finished with a game of chess, with Nana almost always winning.

Nana was an avid bridge player. She played at least 2 times a week, and tried to encourage her children and grandchildren to play too. Unfortunately, we all didn’t have the same passion as her. When COVID closed the club, that didn’t stop her playing. She continued to play online with her friends and son John. We all knew not to call on Mondays or Fridays between 12-2, as that was bridge time.

When she finally “retired” at 80, her life didn’t slow down at all. In fact, I think she got busier. Her days were now spent doing and teaching craft, playing bridge, teaching English at the local church, still teaching chess up at the school and more Sunday lunches.

Barbara passed peacefully on the 14^th February 2025, surrounded by her loving grand-daughters Jodie and Samantha. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her.