May Lavina (Cowan) Ryan

May Lavina (Cowan) Ryan

A Friend to Everyone -

May Lavina (Cowan) Ryan, age 95, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly of Derry, Westmoreland County, passed away at home on Sunday, October 20, 2019.  May was born on Saturday, February 2, 1924 in Derry to the late Harry Cowan and Clara Bell (Long) Cowan.  She was the widow of Robert “Bob” B. Ryan, whom she married on July 6, 1951, and who died on June 2, 1996.

May’s survivors include her two sons: Timothy “Tim” J. Ryan of Mechanicsburg, Robert “Rob” H. Ryan and his wife, Kathy, of Fredericksburg, VA; her four grandchildren: Heather Ryan, Randy Ryan, Samantha Ryan, Robert “Matt” Ryan; her sister, Nancy Shomo-Levay and her husband, Ray, of Derry; and several nieces and nephews.

May graduated from Derry Borough High School as part of the class of 1941.  She attended the Camp Hill United Methodist Church for 57 years and was a member for 33 years, where she was a part of the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS).  May was also a member of the Camp Hill Early Bird Women’s Bowling League.  She enjoyed sewing, playing the organ, and singing.  May loved her Bible; she prayed each day for her family and friends.  Family was very important to her, especially when it came to spending time with her sons and grandchildren.  May will be missed for her friendly and outgoing personality.  She was quite the talkative lady who was always a friend to everyone.

All are welcome to join May’s family at her viewing on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Thursday, October 24, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m., all at Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend Sharon Miller officiating.  Burial will follow in Mechanicsburg Cemetery.  Honored to be pallbearers are: Randy Ryan, Robert Ryan, and Timothy Ryan. May’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at her church, Camp Hill United Methodist Church, 417 South 22nd Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011, immediately following the burial.

Contributions in celebration of May’s life can be made to The Children’s Center: Churches Affiliated Child Care, Inc. (CACCC), 44 South 38th Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011.

May’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read May’s full obituary, view her photograph, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.