In Memory: Mary Catherine “Cathie” Ryan

Mary Catherine “Cathie” Ryan ’61, trustee emerita and a champion of Dominican University for 60 years, died Jan. 30. She was 83.

Ryan is remembered as a philanthropist and a female trailblazer within Chicago banking, spending 47 years with Bank of America until her retirement as senior vice president. During her years in the banking industry, Ryan managed trusts and endowments, and matched philanthropists with meaningful causes.

Ryan served on the Dominican University Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2013 and was involved in many leadership roles in support of the university through the years. She helped create the Rosary College Women’s Board, served as vice chair of Dominican’s Heart and Mind campaign in the early 2000s, was an advisory board member of the Sinsinawa Dominicans, and served on many grant-making foundation boards.

Ryan also helped to establish the Mabel and Joseph Crowley Scholarship Fund, named in memory of her parents.

“Cathie was tirelessly devoted to the university over the years,” Sara M. Acosta, vice president for University Advancement, wrote in a community message following Ryan’s death. “Her impact on this institution and the greater community cannot be underestimated.”