Ryan was born in New York City on February 14, 1886, to parents Michael and Bridget McGlynn. She graduated from Western Connecticut State University, then known as the Danbury State Normal School, and worked as a schoolteacher in Connecticut. She was married to William Henry Ryan until his death in 1954, and she had two daughters. Ryan moved from Connecticut to Sarasota, Florida, around 1960.
Political career
A Republican, Ryan was first elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1924 as one of two representatives from the town of Ridgefield. She served two terms, the first alongside Seth Low Pierrepont and the second alongside Mortimer C. Keeler. During her first term, Ryan served on the public health and safety and capital furniture and grounds committees; during her second term, she served on the public health and state parks committees. Ryan was not a candidate for reelection in 1928.
Ryan was again elected to the House of Representatives in 1942, and she served two terms representing Ridgefield alongside Peter A. McManus. She was not a candidate for reelection in 1946 and left office in 1947.
Ryan served two terms on Ridgefield's board of education.
