Marilynn A. Ryan, of Lansdale, formerly of Riverside, California, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown. She was 76.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, she was the daughter of the late Gerald E. Arnold and the late Katherine L. (King) Arnold Gillingham.

Marilynn graduated from Arizona State University in 1961, where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She later earned her master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University, California in 1993.

Employed as an early elementary teacher for more than 30 years, Marilynn taught at schools in San Diego, Fullerton, and Riverside, California. During her career, she touched the lives of many students and faculty.

Following other family members and friends east, she moved to Lansdale in 2009.

An active member of Sweet Adelines International, Marilynn sang locally with the Valley Forge Chorus chapter. In Riverside, she had sung with the Inland Empire Chorus chapter.

Marilynn loved to travel and enjoyed road trips. She often collected interesting rocks, colored glass, and anything with dragonflies.

Footloose and fancy free, she enjoyed talking with everyone she met and made friends everywhere she went. What started as a play group for her kids turned into life-long friendships for everyone, including the mothers.

She is survived by her two children: Kevin J. Ryan and his wife, Shannon, of Perkasie; Kelly L. Jones and her husband, Jonpaul, of Millville, New Jersey; three grandchildren: Hayden, Addison, and Lauren; a sister, Patricia Steffen, and her husband, John, of Rockford, Michigan; a brother, Robert Arnold, and his wife, Linda, of Payson, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 25, in the Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, 87 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960, where a visitation will be held from
6:30 p.m. until time of service.

Interment will be conducted privately at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 480 Norristown Rd., Ste. 150, Blue Bell, PA 19422.