Marilyn Zwang Ryan
Marilyn Zwang Ryan, formerly of Libby, died unexpectedly Monday, July 24, 2006, in Missoula.
She was born in Libby to Willard and Florence Fennessy Zwang and was raised and educated in Libby, graduating from Libby High School with the Class of 1971. She moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana and there met her husband, Dave Ryan.
Marilyn assisted her in-laws in building a cabin at Flathead Lake, a place she enjoyed visiting for the remainder of her life. This early construction experience gave Marilyn and her husband the confidence to build their own home; she drew plans, hammered, sawed and painted, and soon had a new home. This enjoyment of homebuilding led her to build 17 houses.
Marilyn worked in ski and sport shops where she could buy gear for her active lifestyle. In 1979, she brought home a couple of mountain bikes, which was the beginning of the family's passion for this new sport. She also skied and loved whitewater rafting.
A devoted mother to her sons Corey and Justin, she never missed a school function or athletic activity. She took them hiking, biking, camping and skiing from their earliest years. She loved being with them and sharing their adventures.
Marilyn challenged herself with overnight cross-country skiing trips and extended, self-contained bicycle trips. She still joined her sons for skiing, biking and rafting when possible and was looking forward to rafting and kayaking the Grand Canyon with her sons next year.
She is survived by her husband, Dave; her sons Corey and Justin; sister Carol Zwang Watters and husband Terry of Florida; brothers, Dave Zwang and wife Deb of Libby, Bob Zwang and wife Bonnie of Corvallis, Ore., Bruce Zwang and wife Mary Jo of Libby and Brian Zwang and wife Cookie of Boise, Idaho; and many nieces, nephews and cousins as well as aunts and uncles including Joe Fennessy and Tom Fennessy, both of Libby.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Florence.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, July 31, at the chapel of Livingston-Malletta & Geraghty Funeral Home in Missoula.