Ryan, Joan F.
By Canton CitizenJoan F. Ryan of Milton and Fort Myers, FL, died on Sunday, August 16, after a brief battle with lung cancer. She was the daughter of Joseph and Katherine Rafter, also of Milton.
Born in Boston in 1940, she graduated from Jeanne D’Arc Academy in Milton and Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut. She was the editor of the Harvard Medical School bulletin and later was the assistant for renowned psychoanalyst Dr. Anton Kris.
Joan devoted most of her adult life to volunteering. From PTO when her daughter was a child to various Catholic charities in both Milton and Fort Myers, she was always willing to roll up her sleeves and help those in need. Joan was a deeply devoted Catholic; her steadfast faith was the cornerstone of her life. A voracious reader, Joan was known for reading every book in the Milton Public Library. She will be fondly remembered for her quick wit and colorful style.
She is survived by her only child, Jennifer Ordway and her husband, Derek, of Longmont, CO, and three grandsons, Dylan and his wife, Tori, of Denver, CO, Trevor of Omaha, NE, and Cameron of Tulsa, OK. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 47 years, Charlie Ryan.
A funeral Mass will be held in St. Pius X in Milton on Thursday, August 20 (today) at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Milton Cemetery. Arrangements by the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home, 326 Granite Ave. in Milton.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Joan’s name to the Holy Nativity Convent, 70 Codman Rd., Brookline, MA 02445.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=134612
Posted by Canton Citizen
on Aug 20 2026. Filed under Obituaries.
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