Charles W. Ryan's Obituary
Charles W. Ryan
Born in 1869, Charles passed away on Dec. 5, 1914, in Seattle, Washington. Soon to be forever laid to rest with his Daughter, Patricia Lawler, at Mt. View Memorial Park.
Charles was born in Michigan. His Father was John Ryan. We’re not yet sure of his mother’s name. He came to Seattle and met the love of his life, Mildred Stewart who was from Spokane, WA. They were married on August 22nd, 1905 and lived for a time with Mildred’s parents, Robert & Mary Stewart, as many young couples did during those difficult times. The story goes that she came from money and their marriage was not condoned by her family and so they essentially disowned her. Obviously their love was too important for money and they married anyway. He worked as a Real Estate agent and also as a driver in his lifetime. They had 2 children together, Janet E. Ryan on July 15th, 1906 and Patricia Ryan on May 16th, 1911. They also had 2 twin boys that both died 3 weeks after being born.
Unfortunately, Charles passed away on Dec. 5th , 1914 at the very young age of 44. Mildred, now a widowed mother of 2 small girls remarried for a short time to Maurice Poston and then tragically passed away on Sept. 19th, 1919. Janet & Patricia were now orphans but were very lucky to be were raised by their Aunt & Uncle, Floyd & Agnes Stewart.
Janet eventually married Dana Nave and they had 1 son, Louis Nave. Louis never had any children, but he did have 1 step-daughter named “Dickie” who thought of him as a dad. We haven’t heard from Dickie in many years now but we would love to reconnect with her someday.
Patricia married Erick Everett and they had 4 children together. Gordon Everett, Edward “Nip” Everett, Joanne Hawn & Gayle Cammarano. They all had many children,grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Because of their young age, Patricia and Janet never knew what happened to the remains of their parents. After a lot of searching Patricia’s daughter, Gayle Cammarano, located her grandfather’s remains in a crematory in Seattle. Sitting on a shelf for 97 years, he had never been claimed by any family until Gayle, his granddaughter, and Patricia Everett Mathusz, his great-granddaughter, retrieved him from that Seattle Crematory on a sunny, summer day in 2011. Although Gayle really wanted to see her grandfather laid to rest along with her mother Patricia, she did not live to see that happen as she was battling Lung Cancer at the time.
At this time we still do not know where the remains of Mildred Stewart Ryan Poston are located but we are still hoping to find them someday. We would welcome any information from the public about Charles W. Ryan or Mildred Stewart Ryan Poston.
Until then we are very glad that Patricia can finally rest in peace with the father that in life she never had a chance to know.
Separated in life too soon, now together for eternity.
What’s your fondest memory of Charles?
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Share a story where Charles' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Charles you’ll never forget.
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