Patricia (Pat) Marie Ryan, age 73, passed away on August 23, 2018 after recent heart surgery. She was strong and recovering ahead of schedule when her heart suddenly stopped beating. Her passing has been met with shock and great sadness by all who knew and loved her.

Pat was born on February 1, 1945 in Rolla, MO. She cherished time with her grandparents and cousins in that small town. Pat grew up in Chicago and moved to Wheaton as a teenager, where she attended Wheaton Central High School. In 1964, she married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Ryan. They built a home together and had two children, Patty and John. Pat was an extraordinary wife, mother, daughter, homemaker and friend. She loved cooking, crafts, gardening, reading, nature, traveling with Bob, caring for her mother Del, talking with her adult kids almost daily, and most of all, spending time with her whole family. Pat will forever be remembered as the world's best "Nana" to her five grandchildren—Shannon, Cole, Megan, Adam, and Claire. She enjoyed every day with them and had so many silly inside jokes and shared confidences. Her beautiful green eyes would light up hearing their names. She cherished each phase of their lives and was always ready with a smile and a giant hug. Pat was an amazing listener who had the uncanny ability to accept people without judgment and say the exact words to help them feel better. She put others, especially family, ahead of herself at all times. Her presence was constant, peaceful, loving, and full of comfort. Her loss leaves a sad, empty place in the lives of all who knew and loved her.

Pat is survived by her loving husband of 54 years Robert Ryan; daughter Patricia (Nicholas) Ryan Pinchok; son John Ryan; grandchildren Adam and Claire Pinchok, Shannon, Cole, and Megan Ryan; brother Joseph (Diane) Carbone; and mother Delphia Bell Carbone. She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Carbone.

A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, wishes to honor her memory are best achieved through donations to organizations which support at-risk children or the Wheaton Public Library .