Obituaries for Oct. 30, 2009

Helen Ryan

Helen Ryan, 94, of Baker City, died Oct. 25, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

There will be a celebration of her life at 1 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Quail Ridge Golf Course in Baker City. Friends are invited to join the family in a time of honoring Helen with remembrances, friendship, and lunch. There will be a family graveside service later in Astoria.                               

Helen Virginia Carlson  Ryan was born into a large close-knit family on March 26, 1915. She had five sisters and three brothers.

Her parents, Victor and Verna Carlson, emigrated from Sweden to Astoria. Helen was delivered at home along with her identical twin sister, Margaret Carlson Foster. The two sisters were very devoted to one another and shared many years of their lives together. 

Helen knew from a young age that she wanted to work in medicine and earned a degree in X-ray technology. Her 43-year career in this field included working for several different doctors and hospitals both in Oregon and California. She was very dedicated to her profession and treated her patients with care and compassion.

Spending time with her two children, Patty Bogart and Ken Ryan, brought her great joy. They enjoyed the outdoors, traveling and many adventures together. Fun times were also spent with her many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Helen’s family grew with the addition of her son-in-law, Mark Bogart, and her two beloved granddaughters, Katy and Kelly. Helen had lived the past 17 years with the Bogarts and joyfully celebrated Kelly’s wedding to Jason Jacobs last summer. During the past five years Helen was lovingly cared for in her home by Mary Phillips.

Helen surrounded herself with many friends, both young and old. She loved to golf, cheer for her granddaughters, and vacation with her family. Her positive attitude, wisdom, independent spirit and kindness will be greatly missed by all who loved her, family members said.

“Although Helen passed away on Oct. 25, 2009, her zest for life and her devotion to family and friends will always be remembered and treasured,” they said.