Olive Ryan

Olive D. Ryan, 86 years young, of Contoocook, NH passed away suddenly on March 9, 2023, at Concord Hospital in Concord, NH.

She was born on January 11, 1937, in Concord, NH to the late Oliver D. Johnson and Margaret (Wells) Crawford. Olive grew up in Warner and graduated from Simonds Free High School on June 17, 1955. After high school Olive worked at the Box Shop and the telephone company before moving to Peterborough, NH where Olive worked at the Millipore Corporation in Jaffrey, NH.

She married Wilber G. Moore on October 10, 1959, at the United Church of Warner, NH.  They later divorced on November 20, 1980. Olive then married William J. Fox on June 4, 1983, at the First Congregational Church in Hopkinton, NH. After William (Bill) Fox passed away, Olive married Dana F. Ryan on August 25, 2001, at St. Peter’s Parish in Concord, NH.

Olive worked for the Colonial Village for twenty-two loyal years as a cashier. She was always ready to dress up for Halloween and share some laughs with her dear friend Edie there at the Colonial in Contoocook, NH. She absolutely loved her extended Colonial Village family throughout her years of service.

One of Olive’s favorite joys was to tell jokes and cursing a sweet F@#% bomb. She was full of fun and had a great comeback filled with wit and charm. Olive enjoyed puzzles, knitting, Skip-Bo, Phase 10, scrapbooking and crafting. The last year of her life was probably her best with opportunities like trying new things and getting her first pedicure at 86 years young. She was always on the go and out with her dear friends, Lorraine LaFrance, and Sandy Frazier. They were referred to as the Golden Girls partners in crime. This past year was filled with love, laughter and memories to last a lifetime.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver D. Johnson and Margaret Crawford, her husbands; William (Bill) Fox and Dana Ryan; an infant daughter Wanda Denise Moore; Brother Clint Johnson; and stepbrother Arnold Crawford.

Olive is survived by her Sister-in-law Elizabeth Crawford of Contoocook, NH; nieces, Brenda Martin (John) of Concord, NH; Carol Crawford of Laconia, NH; nephew Dennis Crawford (Lynda), Great nephew Kendrick (Megan Mullaney) Crawford of Barnstead, NH, Great nephew Alden Martin of Concord NH, stepdaughters: Kathy (Albert) Lancto of Manchester, NH; JeanMarie (Edio) Fox Rivera of Waltham MA; Robin (Mark) D’Arcangelo of Haverhill MA; and Kim (Alfred) Cooper of Candia, NH.

A celebration of life will be held on April 15, 2023, at 2:00-4:00 at the Odd Fellows Hall, Park Avenue, Contoocook, NH 03229. Please come and share a dirty joke and a fond memory of Olive as that’s what she wanted.  A private graveside service will be held at a later date at St. Patrick’s Cemetery on Hillcrest Road in Jaffrey, NH 03452.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial donations in Olive’s name to the Pope Memorial SPCA 94 Silk Farm Road, Concord NH.