Margaret M. Ryan

Margaret M. Ryan (Peggy), 94, passed peacefully from this life on February 07, 2026. She was born on October 10, 1931 to John P. Tidwell (b. Delaware) and Laura Lewis Tidwell (b. Ireland). She and her older sister Kathleen lived with their parents in Dublin, Ireland when Peggy was six, returning to the US just before WWII. Her father was in active Navy service and was later posted, along with his family, to San Diego, California before returning to Delaware, where they remained. 

After graduating from St. Peter's High School in New Castle, DE, Peggy attended Beacom College, earning a certificate in stenography, then worked for a time as a secretarial assistant to chemists at Du Pont Chemical Co. After marrying Paul V. Ryan (1929-2007) in 1952, Peggy was devoted to raising her children. She and Paul lived in several states, finally moving to Southern California in 1963. When her children were older, she attended Citrus College, earning an AA in history. She also received a certificate for learning the universal language Esperanto. She and Paul divorced, and thereafter she lived a bicoastal life, owning a house in Houlton, Maine, near her son Stephen, his wife Janet and their children. She spent the summers in Maine and winters in California. In Maine she was active in a local Quaker group where she made many life long friends.

She was a loving mother and grandmother who always remembered her children's and grandchildren's birthdays no matter their ages. While staying in California during the winter, she took care of her grandchildren, Amber and Ian, when they were young, while their mother, Eileen, worked night shifts as an RN. 

Peggy loved reading, especially about American and European history. Her literary favorites included Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare. She also enjoyed knitting, the dogs and cats she cared for throughout her life, recognizing them as part of the family. Her Maine Coon cat, Wulfie (Beowulf), was her traveling companion on many cross country flights.

Although afraid of heights, she nonetheless conquered the Quaggy Jo mountain in Maine, at age 51, scaling the steepest part on a cable attached to the rocks, while gingerly avoiding the shale that covered the ground. She proudly reached the 1213 ft summit with reminders of “don’t look down.”

She had fond memories of going to the concerts of Arlo Guthrie and the singer-songwriter John Prine, (with whom she shared a birthday). Although rarely listening to music on a daily basis, she favored watching many of Prine’s concerts in her last year.

Peggy was predeceased by her baby sister Patricia, sister Barbara Morris, and her brother John P. Tidwell, III. She is survived by her sister Kathleen, her brother-in-law Mike Ryan (Anne), her children, David (Caren), Brenda, Dennis (Toni), Stephen (Janet), Eileen, and Sheila (Mike), her grandchildren Amber (Chris), Ian, Patrick (Angelique), Trevor, Miranda, Joshua,  Micah, and great grandchild Seyc, along with many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her beloved cat Shadow.

Arrangements are under the care of Douglass & Zook Funeral and Cremation Services, Monrovia, CA. There will be no funeral service, so no flowers should be sent to the funeral home or to the family. Our mom will be cremated and her ashes scattered according to her wishes.