Living Legacy
Audrey Ryan has the distinction of being the first to earn special recognition from the CHW Foundation - East Valley board for achieving emeritus status.
According to the bylaws for the Foundation, classification for emeritus status reads "a Director who has rendered significant or prolonged service to this organization may be appointed as an Emeritus Director. An Emeritus Director may continue to attend meetings, but shall not be eligible to vote or hold office."
"Audrey and her husband have given a lot to the Foundation," said Rich Frazier, Vice President and Executive Director of the Foundation. "The Foundation Board wanted her to know that she will always be appreciated for her efforts."
Born in 1927, Audrey Ryan has been a lifelong resident of Arizona. Her passion for healthcare and helping others came full-circle from wanting to be a nurse as a child and realizing that dream by graduating as a surgical nurse from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Tucson to eventually serving on the Foundation board.
She married Bob Ryan after graduating and said they mutually knew they were the ones for each other after their first date, which was a dance at San Marcos. They lived on a 320-acre farm and Audrey still lives in the house her husband built for her over 30 years ago.
Together, they raised four sons, Bob Jr., Bill, Phillip, and Michael. Bob Jr. passed away in 1998, but the other three collaborated on a gated community on the old farmland called Ryan Estates that has won awards from the City of Chandler.
Audrey was invited to be on the Foundation board when her husband passed away in 1993. He had been a board member for nearly 20 years. Because Audrey was already involved with other activities, she initially hesitated to accept the position, but now says that serving on the board has been a truly great experience.
"I've learned a lot and the people themselves are the grandest, dearest people in the world," Audrey said. "We raised good money and it's been a wonderful thing."
In memory of her husband, Audrey donated a garden outside the East Valley Cancer Center at Chandler Regional Medical Center for patients to enjoy before or after their treatment.
Having been a patient at Chandler Regional Medical Center, Audrey knows first hand the benefit of the Foundation's efforts. Money raised by the Foundation contributes to much needed equipment that the hospital could not otherwise afford.
The Foundation presented Audrey with a crystal vase on an engraved pedestal that she proudly displays in her home. "To me, it's a great honor to have received this status and the award," she said.
Being an emeritus is just one honor in a long line of special recognition for Audrey, who has been very generous to the Chandler community for more than 45 years. She helped raise money for the city's first library, was president of the Chandler Historical Society, and has a school, Ryan Elementary, named after Bob and her.
Audrey considers her greatest accomplishment to be raising her sons. Today, she is also the proud grandparent of 14, all of whom live nearby.
