Nancy (Linehan) Ryan

Nancy Linehan Ryan, 84, of Sapphire, NC, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017.  She was born in Englewood, NJ, the daughter of the late John C. and Anne McFadden Linehan.  Mrs. Ryan attended Fairfax Hall in Waynesboro, Va.  A retired teacher, she received her undergraduate degree in education from the University of Tennessee where she was also a cheerleader.  She later earned her master’s degree from the University of South Florida.  She began her teaching career at the University of Alabama in 1956 and subsequently taught in the public school systems of Tennessee and Florida before spending 22 years teaching at the Blue Ridge and Cullowhee Schools in Jackson County, North Carolina.  Mrs. Ryan was a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary at the VFW Jimmy Dillard Post 10685 in Glenville, NC.  In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ryan was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Anne Ryan Bixby.  She is survived by her husband of 61 years, James C. Ryan; daughter Elizabeth “Liz” Ryan of Sapphire, NC; sons James C. “Skip” Ryan, Jr. of Cashiers, NC and Col. (Ret.) John T. “Tim” Ryan, his wife Kay, and their children Katy, Kelly, and Molly Ryan, all of Smithfield, VA.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.  Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.