Linda Ryan, former Nevada welfare chief, dies enroute to Paris

Monday, Dec. 20, 1999 | 6:36 a.m.

Ryan, wife of veteran Las Vegas Sun statehouse reporter Robert "Cy" Ryan, suffered a fatal aneurism. The plane was diverted to Shannon, Ireland, where she was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

A funeral mass is scheduled at 1 p.m. Monday at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Carson City. Cremation is being handled by Walton's. The family requests donations to local charities in lieu of flowers.

Ryan, born and raised in LaPorte, Ind., moved to Nevada in 1966. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, worked for the Carson airport and for Sierra Pacific Power Co., and joined the state in 1976 as state energy coordinator.

Ryan was named director of the state Office of Community Services in 1979 and Welfare Division chief in 1985. She resigned in 1992, and later started a family mediation service.

An avid runner and traveler, she also enjoyed photography and music.

In addition to her husband, Ryan is survived by a son, Samuel Contreras and sisters Kay Gori and Joan Eisner, all of Carson City; brother John Williams of Hamlet, Ind.; sisters Pauline Wheeler of Baraboo, Wis., Opal Boron of Union Mills, Ind., and Mary Smith of LaPorte, Ind.; a grandson and 15 nieces and nephews.