Claire T. Ryan

MIDDLETON - Claire T. Ryan, age 70, died Saturday, May 19, 2007, at the HospiceCare Center, Fitchburg. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer. Claire was born Nov. 5, 1936, in New York City, the daughter of the late John J. and W. Rita (Fletcher) McMahon. She received her undergraduate degree from Mount St. Vincent's College in New York City and her master's degree from Marquette University, where she taught English. Claire also taught at Roosevelt Junior High School and Custer High School, both in Milwaukee, at Kromrey Middle School in Middleton and at Middleton High School. On July 21, 1962, she married Francis G. "Frank" Ryan Jr. in New York City. Claire is survived by her husband; six children, John (Devorah) of Grafton, Daniel (Megan) of La Crosse, Thomas (Karen) of Middleton, James (Sandra) of Monroe, Terrence of Wausau and Sheila (Marc) of Danbury; 10 grandchildren, Madison, Zachary, Bennett, Leo, Emmet, Natalie, Rachel, Ross, John and Alise; a brother, John McMahon of Boise, Idaho; and a sister, Rita Jordan of Vero Beach, Fla. Claire was much loved as a grandmother, mother, wife, sister, friend, teacher, advocate and longtime volunteer with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, where she taught the Family-to-Family Course for loved ones of people with serious mental health issues. Burial will be private. A celebration of Claire's life will be held at the HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY, formerly St. Benedict Center, 4200 County Trunk M, Middleton, Saturday, June 9, 2007, at 2 p.m., with a reception afterward. Claire asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Dane County, 2059 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704 and NAMI Wisconsin, 4233 W. Beltline Highway, Madison, WI 53711.