Obituary of Ada Biffar Ryan

Ada Biffar Ryan, beloved wife of the late Edward Anderson Ryan, Sr., passed away at age 96 on August 14, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged.

A native of New York City, Ada attended the University of Alabama, and graduated with her medical degree from Flower-Fifth Avenue/New York Medical College in 1947. She opened a family practice in her homes in Levittown and Flushing, subsequently worked at Flushing Hospital Emergency Room, Local 3 Electrical Union and a local substance abuse clinic. She devoted most of her adult life to fighting for the rights of the unborn. She served as President of New York’s Right to Life movement, founded New York State Doctors and Nurses Against Abortion, and organized and supported countless protests, marches and sit-ins across the United States. In addition, she opened her home to over a dozen young pregnant women through the organization Birthright International. In 1975 at the end of the Vietnam conflict, she warmly welcomed in two Vietnamese refugees who became part of her family.

She was the loving mother of Mary Ann Wilson, Thomas Ryan, Catherine Sellinger Scorcia (Frank), Joseph Ryan (Julie) and the late Louise Frederico (Steve) and Edward A. Ryan, Jr. She cherished her 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours are 2-5 & 7-9 PM on Friday, 8/17/2018 at Nolan Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Avenue, Northport, NY.

Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, 8/18/2018 at 9:30 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 29 Clay Pitts Road, Greenlawn, NY. Burial to follow at Mt. St. Mary’s Cemetery, Flushing, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to:

The Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict who have lovingly cared for Ada for almost 2 years (checks can be written to “Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict” and sent to 350 Cuba Hill Road, Huntington, NY 11743)

or

Birthright International (Birthright.org)

or

Any pro-life organization of your choice.