Annabelle Esther Ryan

Annabelle Esther Ryan, nee Welch, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday morning, March 16, 2025 with family at her side. The daughter of Hubert James Welch and Leone Annabelle Davis Welch, Annie was born April 27, 1937 in her Aunt Minnie’s hospital (Jones Hospital) in Hillsboro, Oregon.

She attended both Washington High School in San Francisco, California and Hilhi High School in Hillsboro, Oregon where she participated in many school activities. She was especially involved in journalism, reporting for the school’s paper and writing a monthly column called “Annie’s Analysis” for which she received an award from the University of Oregon.

In 1955, she attended Oregon State University majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Journalism. Annie transferred to San Francisco State University in 1957 where she met her future husband, James Lee Ryan.

Jimmy and Annie were married in 1959 and they started their family soon after with Shannon Marie in 1962, Kelly Ann in 1964, and Brennan James in 1965.

Annie’s career started with PG&E’s Purchasing Department. In 1973 she went to work for Congoleum Corporation where she supported the northwest region’s sales operation and participated in the Pacific Coast Builders Annual Conference organizing Congoleum's wine tasting parties. While Annie fully enjoyed working at Congoleum for over a decade, she found true fulfillment in 1984 when she started work with Poplar Center in San Mateo, helping families in need. In 2001, Annie retired and moved back to Oregon where many of her relatives lived.

Annie felt very fortunate having the opportunity to travel extensively throughout her life. She had been to Europe, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean and loved collecting local art. She was also an avid bibliophile and enthusiastically read mysteries, science fiction, and any subject regarding outer space or the oceans. She also had a tremendous love of animals, with kitties holding a special place in her heart.

Annie is preceded in death by Jimmy (December 23, 1993) and her son Brennan (October 8, 2021).