Susan Thomas Ryan

Susan Powers Thomas Ryan, 92, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023.

She was born on March 6, 1931, in Youngstown, Ohio, the only child of John Elbert and Ruth Powers Thomas. Susan grew up in Akron, Ohio, attending King and Old Trail Schools. She also attended Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass. On June 23, 1951, she married the love of her life, Charles B. Ryan III, and they enjoyed a devoted marriage of 68 years.

As a corporate wife, homemaker, and mother of a daughter and three sons, Susan lived in Akron, Ohio; Memphis, Tenn.; Helena, Ark.; and, in Virginia, Roanoke, Winchester, and Salem. Wherever Susan resided, she made lifelong friends, and enjoyed her volunteer activities at her churches, children’s schools, and Junior League and garden clubs. She loved to garden, read, play golf and tennis, do handiwork, play bridge, and attend dance recitals, Little League baseball and basketball games, and too-many-to-count swim meets. After her children were grown, she became a church secretary at Huntington Court United Methodist Church until the move to Winchester.

Retirement years brought travel around the USA to visit scattered family, golf and beach trips, two cross-country drives to see famous US sights and national parks, and travel to Europe, China, Australia, and New Zealand. Susan’s final years meant slowing down and moving to The Park Oak-Grove retirement community, widowhood, and making new friends.

Susan had, in her words, “a wonderful life.”

Susan is survived by her four children, Deborah Howard (Roscoe), C. William (Kathryn), Thomas (Theresa), and David (Pamela); five grandsons, Conklin Howard, Adam Howard (Yulia), Jack Ryan, Sean Ryan, and Luke Ryan; and one great-grandson, Nikolai Ryan.

All services will be held privately by the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.