Margaret Allegra Michael Ryan

Margaret Allegra Michael Ryan, loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother, left this earth for her heavenly home, on June 22, 2024. She was known to her children as Marm or Mommy, her grandchildren as Granny, and her husband Dinker and life long friends, as Marg or Margie. Born in Chanute, KS to Ruth Elizabeth Tandy and James Oral Michael, she joined sister Wilnetta Jane Michael, on November 23, 1927. Her father was a minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), so the family moved frequently. She lived in Miami, OK for the first 3 years of grade school until they moved to Springfield, MO where she spent the rest of her childhood. She graduated from Springfield Senior High School in 1945. That summer, Margaret and her sister, Jane, worked for the Petroleum Administration for War, in the Department of the Interior, in Washington, D.C. In the fall of 1945, Margaret moved to Ada, OK where her father had become pastor of the First Christian Church. She enrolled in East Central University and became immersed in the music program the college offered. An accomplished violinist, she was a member of the orchestra, part of the string quartet, and also a member of the string ensemble. She even taught violin in the interim, after the professor who taught violin departed. Like her mother, Margaret was a talented musician and possessed a beautiful soprano voice. Singing was her true love! She was a member of the Concert Singers at East Central, and a sought after soloist. She was always cast in the leading female role for musical productions, cantatas, and operas. Prior to her graduation she gave her voice recital to a packed college auditorium. She took classes every summer so she could graduate in 3 years and in May of 1948 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Education. Professionals and critics urged her to pursue a professional career as a vocalist and assured her she would find success on the concert stage, but she chose to give her talent to her family. While at East Central, her path crossed with Paul "Dinker" Ryan and the two became inseparable. Dinker had started his undergraduate education in the fall of 1942 but then interrupted it by serving 3 1/2 years in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot in World War II. At the age of 20, with her degree in hand, Margaret married Dinker, on August 13, 1948. They began their life together in Tulsa, while Dinker finished his degree in Accounting, at the University of Tulsa, and Margaret taught music at a north Tulsa elementary school. In late June of 1949, Margaret and Dinker faced heartbreak when Margaret, pregnant with twins, delivered them prematurely at 32 weeks gestation. Identical girls, Marilyn was still born and Carolyn lived 48 hours. The couple moved to Houston, TX for Dinker to take a job with Amoco Oil, and in July of 1952, they welcomed a healthy boy, Patrick Donovan Ryan. Two years later, in August of 1954, another set of identical twin girls, Darleen and Kathleen were born, completing their family. The Ryan family was transferred back to Tulsa in 1968, and back to Houston in 1977. In 1981, Amoco asked Paul to go to Papua, New Guinea to audit a gold mine, and he, Margaret and Darleen spent 3 1/2 years there, while traveling the world on vacation. They returned to Houston in 1984 and Paul was able to take early retirement. With Paul retired, Margaret decided to take up one of his hobbies, golf, and she played weekly. They both loved to square dance and were members of the Hey Lollies Square Dance Club, dancing every Thursday night and taking many out of town square dance trips. Margaret was proud to be an alumnae of East Central and they returned yearly to Ada to reconnect with old friends from college, at their high school reunions. Margaret and Paul were long time members of Metropolitan Baptist Church, in Houston. Margaret had many talents outside of music. She was an amazing seamstress, a wonderful cook, even re-upholstered some antique sofas and chairs that had been in the family for decades. She enjoyed playing bridge with the women's group at the country club, singing in the church choir, and attending the Houston Rodeo every year. One of her favorite past times was going to Craft Fairs on Saturdays. She had 63 wonderful years with the love her life, Dinker. In 2014, two years after Dinker had passed away, she and Darleen moved to Montereau, in Tulsa, so that Kathleen could better oversee their care. Margaret continued some of her favorite hobbies: singing in the chorus, playing bridge, and even participating in the annual talent show at Montereau. Margaret is survived by her daughters, Darleen Ryan, and Kathleen (Dr. Ben) Pettigrove; her grandchildren, Kristin (Anthony) Carrillo, Andrea (Ofir) Bar, Alisa (Dr. David) Wildt, and Blake Pettigrove; her great grandchildren, Grace Bar, Ethan Bar, Eliana Wildt, Luke Wildt, and Hope Carrillo; siblings, Jimmy (Jeanette) Michael, Verna Anne Michael, Jeanne Burns, and John (Cheri) Michael; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Paul Dinker Ryan; daughters, Marilyn and Carolyn Ryan, and son, Pat Ryan; parents, James O. Michael, Ruth Michael, and Anne Michael; and sister, Wilnetta Jane Schwab. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Montereau Chapel in Tulsa, at 2 pm, Saturday, June 29th, followed by a reception in the Coterie Theater, at Montereau. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetary. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the National Veterans Foundation.

Margaret Allegra Michael Ryan

November 23, 1927 - June 22, 2024