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Albuquerque Journal - August 5, 1998
Jean C. Ryan died at home on Sunday, August 2, with her family around her, of pancreatic
cancer. Born Norma Jean Calkins in Albuquerque on November 6, 1932 to Fred M. and Luella
McDonald Calkins, she graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1950. That Fall, she
started nurses' training at Lutheran Memorial Hospital in Newark, New Jersey and
graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1953. She received her B.A. Magna Cum Laude from Jersey
City State College in 1968. She married William Pivko in 1954; their daughter, Karen was
born in 1957. After William Pivko's death in 1968, Ryan returned to New Mexico in
1969. In 1970, she married Joseph C. Ryan and adopted his two children, Ann and Richard
Ryan. During Joseph Ryan's term as District Judge in Bernalillo County, Ryan worked
for APS as a school nurse, first at East San Joe Elementary School, then at Cibola High
School, and was active on juvenile issues. She and Judge Ryan moved to Louisiana in 1981,
where he was an Administrative L!
aw Judge. Following Judge Ryan's death in 1985, she returned to New Mexico. From 1987
until her death she worked with Habitat for Humanity, serving as volunteer coordinator and
president of Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity, and president of New Mexico Habitat
for Humanity. She helped build houses from here to Guatemala. Ryan is survived by her
three children, Karen Parrish of Corrales, Ann L. Ryan of Albuquerque, and Richard Ryan of
Los Angeles; by one grandchild, Rory Parrish of Corrales; and by her brothers and sisters,
nieces and nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. A memorial service will be held at
9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 601
Montano NW, with David McConoughy officiating. A reception will follow at her home. In
lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Greater Albuquerque Habitat
for Humanity, 3501 Campus Blvd. NE, Albuquerque 87106.