Elinor “Lindy” (Lewis) Ryan, "Nurse Ryan",75 of Methuen, a trailblazing nurse, beloved teacher, and devoted wife and mother, passed away peacefully, July 16th, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, education, and service to others.

Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Lindy was the daughter of the late Daniel G. and Helen E. (Jones) Lewis. From a young age, Lindy was drawn to the healing profession, a calling that led her to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Vermont. She would go on to devote her life to the care of others, working as a registered nurse in some of the nation’s most respected medical institutions. Lindy was known as an outstanding diagnostic nurse whose knowledge, experience and compassion allowed her to provide care and advocacy for her patients and students.

Her nursing career spanned many decades and locations, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Queen’s Hospital in Hawaii, Sancta Maria Hospital and ultimately Minuteman Vocational High School in Lexington, where she fulfilled a lifelong passion and served as a nurse manager for 24 years. Lindy was more than a nurse; she was a mentor, an inspiration and advocate to many of her students. She loved teaching and took immense pride in helping shape the next generation of healthcare professionals. She was one of the very first certified school nurses in the United States, setting a standard of excellence and dedication that was felt throughout her field.

Lindy’s life was also filled with love and adventure. She shared 47 years of marriage with her devoted husband, Martin Ryan. In their early years together, they embraced an exciting chapter of life by relocating from New England to Hawaii, before eventually returning to New England to raise their cherished family. Together, they built a life filled with laughter, mutual support, and deep love.

Outside of her professional and family life, Lindy found joy in small but meaningful acts of kindness. She was a skilled knitter and lovingly crafted blankets for newborns at the hospitals where she worked. Her compassion extended to animals as well, she trained therapy dogs to comfort and bring peace to hospital patients, always striving to make even the most difficult moments a little easier for others.

She is survived by her loving husband Martin, her children, Jason Ryan and Jill Bester-Ryan of Hamilton, MA and Melissa Ryan of Bedford, MA, three grandchildren, Emmet Ryan, Celina Bester-Ryan and Lincoln Bester-Ryan, her beloved siblings Timberlake Lewis and his wife Erika of Los Angeles, CA, Nancy Pierce and her husband Walt of Rye, NH and Joan Lewis and her companion Robbie Hopkins of Arlington, VA, as well as many nieces, nephews and the countless students, colleagues, friends, and patients whose lives she enriched.

At her request all funeral services will be private and a Celebration of Life will be planned at the convenience of her family. Arrangements are by the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, Burlington. Contributions in her memory may be made to Make-A-Wish. To leave a condolence to her family, please visit www.sullivanfuneralhome.net