March 21, 2024
In loving memory ~
Miriam (Mary B) Ryan was born in Dublin in 1943. She was "second mother" to her six younger brothers. Early on, Miriam was a leader and adventurer in her quiet cheerful way. In school she was first in her class every year, captain of the high school debating team, and after high school obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the National University of Ireland at night while working full time at Irish Railways (C I E). In the mid 1960s she was chosen by C I E to be among their first group of computer programmers.
In 1968 having been to Vienna and October Fest courtesy of free train travel from C I E, Miriam decided to venture further afield with her teacher friend Brigid. They worked in Toronto for a year (Miriam as a programmer) before starting a round-the-world-tour. Travelling on Greyhound buses with a $5 a day budget and carrying 60 pound packs they travelled through the Rockies then south through the US to Mexico; from Los Angeles they took a P&O liner to Yokohama, Japan and from there to Hong Kong, Singapore, around the Malay peninsula to Thailand and on to Sri Lanka. Onward again to India and on to Pakistan. After that came Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Germany, London and finally home to Dublin.
Miriam married Bill Hickey in 1970. They moved to Toronto in 1973 where Miriam obtained an MBA from the University of Toronto. Her lifetime career in the computer industry took off in earnest with Scotia Bank and progressed through increasingly senior roles at Northern Telecom and Price Water House, becoming Oracle Canada's Director of the Computer Department. During that time Miriam was also an avid windsurfer, sailor and orienteer.
Her second world tour began in 1996, involving senior computer postings in Reading England, Sydney Australia and Manchester, New Hampshire.
In early 2003 Miriam and Bill moved from New Hampshire to Vernon. This was to be the most satisfying period of her life. Miriam and Bill immediately joined the Vernon Outdoor Club, which led to engaging in numerous non-motorized summer and winter sports. Miriam volunteered at Sovereign Lake X/C Ski Club, the Performing Arts Centre, Vernon Contract Bridge Club and the Good Food Box, among others. She took art, bridge, and wood carving classes. She was active in Masters swimming and in crewing in weekly sailing races. She and her contract bridge partner Jane, competed in tournaments around the Pacific Northwest and helped organize educational bridge seminars. A close friend mentioned her remarkable energy, her joie de vivre and her infectious sense of humour.
Around 2012 her swim times began to drop off; she discovered she had Parkinson's disease. Another close friend said "she looked PD in the eye and got on with her busy lifestyle". However, her memory loss began to affect everything. During 2023 other extremely painful and debilitating medical conditions appeared. Miriam decided to request medical assistance to end her agony. She set the date for March 21st.
Meanwhile her closest friends decided to each contribute memories and impressions in a book they produced titled 'The Most Important Thing About Miriam'. The result was presented to Miriam at a special Book Club meeting and Celebration of her very active life in Vernon on March 21st. Guests enjoyed snacks as Miriam told stories in her inimitable style. Once the guests had gone, the nurse and doctor arrived; Miriam said in a clear strong voice "yes I do want to go ahead". She fell asleep quickly, passing away peacefully, attended by the love of her life Bill, her brother John from California and a long-time friend Leigh from Victoria. All who loved her, will sorely miss her.
Miriam was predeceased by brothers Michael and Peter and is survived by husband Bill Hickey and brothers Joe, Frank and Brendan Ryan in Ireland and John in California.
Please consider making any donations to Parkinson Society British Columbia in memory of Miriam.