Peg Ryan

Peg Ryan, Library

Sister Mary Philip Ryan, OP, formerly known as Margaret Mary Ryan, died at the Dominican Life Center on October 22, 2002.She was 101 years of age and in her 81st year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Mary Philip was born in Chicago where she graduated from Aquinas High School.She received a bachelor of arts degree in English from St. John Teachers College in Toledo, Ohio, and a master of arts degree in English from the University of Detroit.

After teaching English and history for 12 years at St. Mary High School in Royal Oak, Michigan, Sister Mary Philip served as director of novices for the Congregation, a position she held for 12 years during which she prepared hundreds of young women for the Congregation's ministries.In 1945 she was sent to the Dominican Republic, the Congregation's first overseas mission.She supervised the construction of a school, Colegio Santo Domingo, and became its principal and administrator.From the capital city she established schools for the poor in the outlying areas of the country.At the same time she earned a doctorate at the University of Santo Domingo and became a leading figure in the country's educational system.In 1994 the government awarded her the Duarte Sanchez Mella Medal, the country's highest award for exemplary service.

In 1956 Sister Mary Philip was called back to the United States and appointed the principal of Rosary High School in Detroit.After six years she taught for a short time at Siena Heights College (now University).She then was appointed to the Philippines where she assisted in the formation of a new congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Remedies in Pampanga.