Denise Bergevin O'Bryan

Denise (Bergevin) O'Bryan passed away March 3, 2019.

Denise was born on May 3, 1926 to Arthur and Marguerite Bergevin in Walla Walla WA.  She graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1944 and attended WSU, graduating in 1948.  She pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and remained a lifelong member, regularly reuniting with her sorority sisters through the years. She married Patrick J. Ryan of Seattle in 1950 and began her family in Ellensburg WA. In 1960 she and her four children moved to Olympia WA, next door to her sister and brother-in-law Artie and Pep Pemberton.  There she was employed as an elementary school teacher for 14 yrs.  She was an active community leader throughout her lifetime.  These activities usually followed in the wake of her sisters or brother, who were always organizing communities around their interests.  If a club didn’t exist to meet their needs, they founded one. Together they were leaders in the South Bay 4-H Horse and Beef Club.

In 1972, Denise married retired Army Col. Harry O'Bryan and moved to Walla Walla to join her siblings in retired life. She was an active leader of Walla Walla Valley Horseman and enjoyed trail riding and horse showing for 25 years. In 1980 she and her cousin Frank Munns won State historic designation for the protection of Frenchtown Cemetery and later building of Frenchtown Monument. Her other club memberships were Lowden Study Club, and Pioneer Daughters.

She is survived by her daughters Kathleen Ryan-Hardy, Robin Ryan and son Kelly Ryan. Her son in-laws are Brian Hardy and Brian Banfield. She is also survived by stepdaughter Kathleen O'Bryan and stepson Chris O'Bryan and numerous step-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Artemisia Pemberton, Jeanne Butkus and Russell Bergevin; her husband’s Patrick Ryan and Harry O'Bryan, and her beloved son Kevin Ryan and stepdaughters Ann and Mary O'Bryan and stepson John O'Bryan.

A gathering for family and friends will be held at Assumption Parish Hall on Saturday, March 30, 2019, from 1:00-4:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Frenchtown Historic Foundation through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.