Barbara M. Ryan

Barbara M. Ryan, age 86 of Battle Creek passed away peacefully in her daughter’s home in Wilmington, North Carolina, surrounded by family on March 25, 2025. She was born September 17, 1938 in Shelby Michigan, the daughter of Floyd and N. Leone (Ossman) Woodland.

Barbara will be remembered for her resilience, but also for being caring, funny, outgoing, and always an advocate for those in need. She supported her children and grandchildren in any way she could. She had a deep Christian faith and loved life. She always had a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes.

Barbara loved the small town, Shelby, near Lake Michigan and Silver Lake, where she grew up spending a lot of time at the beach and attended Shelby High School, where she was a cheerleader, member of the marching band and yearbook editor, graduating as valedictorian before moving to Kalamazoo to pursue her RN degree through a scholarship at Western Michigan University while also working for Bronson hospital. When attending WMU, she met her husband, the love of her life, David Ryan, from Battle Creek. Upon graduation, Barbara began a long, successful nursing career in Kalamazoo, first working for an allergist. Dave and Barbara were married in the spring of 1960 and moved to Marshall, Mi, then to Detroit where Dave attended law school at U of D. Barbara worked at Henry Ford Hospital as Head Nurse in a pulmonary clinic. After Dave completed his law degree, they moved to Battle Creek where they spent the rest of their lives, raising two children: Kathy and David.

Barbara continued her career by teaching various nursing classes at Kellogg Community College, taking some time off to raise their young children, and volunteering as president of Visiting Nurses and through the Junior League she was instrumental in the formation of Safe Place for survivors of domestic violence. She then reignited her career as a Patient Care Coordinator for Good Samaritan Hospice and then Coordinator for the new Hospice Education Center which allowed her to contribute to the working structure of hospice organizations nationally as she traveled around the country to educate hospices through workshops to ensure that Medicare would pay for their services. This was the work she was most proud of. She then shifted to adolescent psychiatric nursing at Fieldstone Center enjoying a long career there as a Utilization Review Coordinator for 20+ years.

Barbara grew up in a devout Methodist household, singing in the church choir, and then converting to Catholicism before marrying Dave. They both remained very devoted to the religion, becoming ingrained in St. Philip school and church. Barbara was an avid tennis player and also liked snow skiing and the occasional water skiing on Gull Lake where she spent many summers at the Ryan family cottage. She also loved to play any kind of card game which included a Bridge group. She always dressed nicely, styled her hair and put on jewelry every day. After Dave passed away in 2003, Barbara remained very close to many of their dear friends, enjoying gatherings, dinners out, cards, bible study and book club. Unfortunately, her physical health began to fail, forcing her to overcome several serious challenges. Still, she kept moving forward always with a positive attitude to the amazement of all who knew and loved her. As she became more homebound, she found joy in watching birds, deer, and other wildlife from her sun porch and also greatly loved flowers inside and out. She also had several neighbors who became dear friends. She was also an avid reader and history buff. She enjoyed visiting historical sites and beaches on many family summer vacations.

Barbara is profoundly missed by family and friends who survive her, including, her daughter; Kathy (Ralph) Sierra; son, David (Marlo) Ryan; four grandchildren whom she loved and adored, Sam (Brianna) Ryan, Josephine, Charlie and George; her sister, Judy (Aaron) Silvey; sister-in-law, Judy Ryan; step-sister, Alice Camber, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place, and a Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025 at St. Philip Catholic Church, 112 Capital Avenue, N.E., Battle Creek, MI 49017 with a luncheon to immediately follow the Mass. Private interment will take place in Fort Custer National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or online at lifecare.org., or to the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Foundation https://bcacs.org/donate/. Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home www.henryfuneralhome.org