DOVER - Dr. Rita M. Ryan died Sunday, June 30, 2013 at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital in Dover, Del. Dr. Ryan was born Dec. 26, 1930 in Massey, Md. to the late James P. Donahoe and Elizabeth Moffett Donohoe. She graduated from Washington College, earned her masters degree at the University of Delaware, and her Doctorate from Nova University. She began her career in education teaching English and Latin at Caesar Rodney High School in 1950. She met her husband Dr. John J. Ryan, who began teaching at Caesar Rodney High School a few months later. They were married in August of 1953. She became a guidance counselor, and later Dr. Ryan was promoted to Director of Guidance. In the mid 1970's she became an Assistant Principal at Caesar Rodney High School and retired after a total of 40 years in the Caesar Rodney School District. Over the years she received many awards including Delaware's Assistant Principle of the Year and was one time president of the National Association of Assistant Principals. Throughout her years in the Caesar Rodney School District, as well as after retiring, Dr. Ryan was an avid supporter of all Caesar Rodney sports. She was a member of the Ladies of the Round Table Club, and a member of Holy Cross Church. Dr. Ryan was preceded in death by her husband John J, Ryan in 1993 and is survived by a son, John J. Ryan and his wife Denise of Dover; a daughter, Edie Ryan Ennis and her husband Bill of Sussex County Del.; two sisters, Theresa Winchell of Dover and Sara Malloy and her husband Jack of Ridgefield, Conn; nine grandchildren, John IV of Camden, Tim of Allentown, Pa., Sean of Dover, Erin of Dover, Stephanie McDonald and her husband Andy of Wyoming, Del., Scott of West Palm Beach, Fla., James of Wyoming, Del., Alexandra Houser and her husband D.J. of Felton and Joseph of Apopka, of Fla. and two great-grandchildren Mayson and newborn Morgan. A mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 8, 2013 at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State St. Dover, DE 19901. Internment will follow after the service at Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover. Friends may call on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Torbert Funeral Chapel (South) 1145 E. Lebanon Rd., Dover, DE 19901. In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial contributions be made to the John J. Ryan Scholarship Fund. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.