Valerie Jean Ryan

Valerie Jean Ryan of Cannon Beach, OR, died May 29, 2014. She was born May 13, 1938, in Seattle, WA, to Lolita (Polet) and Frank Pesce. She gained a beloved stepfather when her mother married Richard (“Tichie”) Franz.
Valerie’s Catholic grade school years led to friendships that lasted a lifetime and the retirement of at least one nun. In 1955, she graduated from Holy Names Academy, where she served as senior class president; although at the top of her class, Valerie was precluded from running for student body president due to her grade in deportment. Valerie attended Seattle University on an academic scholarship, graduating in 1959 with a BA in English literature.
Valerie maintained friendships with classmates and professors to her dying day, and served on Seattle University’s Boards of Trustees and Regents. Her lifelong admiration for the Jesuits really paid off with Pope Francis.
Valerie and William Hanley Ryan met at Seattle U, married on June 25, 1960, and had four children. “Bill and Val” divorced in 1978, but maintained a friendship and immense mutual respect. Valerie was very fond of Bill’s third wife, Katy Kline. Not so much his second wife.
Valerie purchased the Cannon Beach Book Company with John Buckley in 1980. They were partners until 1983 when Valerie moved back to Seattle, where she owned Chapter 2 Books on “The Ave” and Plaza Books and News in Bellevue. She stayed in Seattle until 1995 as a bookseller, freelance writer and editor, media maven and host of many memorable dinner party salons.
Valerie bought the Cannon Beach Book Company back from John in 1995, and returned to Cannon Beach. Her passion for the community and enduring belief that she was always right spurred her to action. She served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce and the Coaster Theater (where she also trod the boards, usually playing to type as a “brassy broad”).
She co-founded Cannon Beach Business Associates, helped to establish the Ecola Creek Forest Reserve, and was a member of the Tourism and Arts Commission. She was especially proud of “Get Lit(erature) at the Beach,” an annual event sponsored by the Tolovana Arts Colony.
Valerie championed independent bookstores, “hand-sold” her favorite authors’ works and was spot-on with book recommendations. She enlivened discourse under her byline; her pithy observations were often accurate, and always authentically hers. She relished a game of cards, wore big sunglasses and colorful scarves behind the wheel of her convertible (well, everywhere), and worshiped the sun.
She treasured her travels, especially to Africa, Brazil, China, Cuba, India, Italy and Russia (whence she smuggled icons in the lining of her mink coat), and was “not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” She cruised through the Panama Canal last November and enjoyed theater in Ashland every year.
Valerie lived as she wanted to, and the world is just not as interesting without her in it. We will miss her every day. She is survived by her children, Leslie Ryan (David Anderson) of Cannon Beach, OR, and Victor, ID; Jennifer (Gigi) Gilman (Tom) of Seattle, WA; William (Wim) Ryan (Catia) of Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Connor Ryan (Alyssa) of Bayview, WA; and her grandchildren, Isabella and Lucas Ryan, Grace and Quinn Gilman, and William and Catherine Ryan.
She leaves behind many beloved extended family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Vale, Valerie.
A memorial will be held at the Haystack Gardens in Cannon Beach at 1 p.m. on July 2. Details are pending for a memorial in Seattle. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Holy Names Academy, Seattle University, Cannon Beach Arts Association, Coaster Theater, or North Coast Land Conservancy.