Muriel Elizabeth Ryder
May 29, 1918 - March 18, 2022
Muriel Elizabeth Ryder, age 103, of Pinehurst, NC, slipped away peacefully at her home, Friday, 18 March 2022 - surrounded by tender loving care from family & her beloved caregiver Lottie Mason. She was a fierce and brave American girl.
Born Muriel Elizabeth O'Connor, on 29 May 1918, in Manhattan, New York, to Catherine Grace Hill and John Joseph O'Connor, of New York.
At age 4, her family moved from Manhattan to a small farm in New Windsor, New York, near the Hudson River, 70 miles north of NYC. There her lifelong love of animals and nature was instilled - growing up with farm dogs & horses, barn cats & Holstein cows. She was riding simple ponies & work horses at age 5 - riding them bareback and every which-way as a child. By her early teens she was an expert rider and became an instructor at age 17 - and was competing in equestrian events thru her early 20s. She was also an expert swimmer, lifeguard & marksman. She graduated high school at Newburgh Free Academy, in Newburgh, NY - then completed 2 years at New Paltz College, in New Paltz, NY. She then left college to work in Manhattan - and pursue her goal to be an Olympic equestrian.
After the outbreak of WWII, she joined the International Red Cross in late 1942. By early 1943, she was serving in combat zones in New Guinea - with American & Australian forces, during vicious jungle fighting with the Japanese. In mid-1944, she was sent to the Philippines, where she served in combat zones with American & Allied forces, as they worked their way toward the invasion of Japan. There she met her future husband, Col. William Thomas Ryder, West Point Class of 1936 - who was America's first paratroop commander and was Airborne advisor to Gen. Douglas MacArthur at the time.
WWII ended on 14 Aug 1945. She was then sent by the Red Cross from the Philippines to Japan in Oct 1945 - to serve during the first 6 months of the American Occupation there. She arrived in Tokyo only 2 months after the atomic bombs were dropped - and witnessed many scenes of utter destruction in Japan, with key parts of the country reduced to a pile of ashes. She was one of only a handful of American or Western women even allowed to enter Japan at that time / during the first months & year after the war.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur was the supreme commander of the Occupation of Japan. Col. William Ryder was still his Airborne advisor - and then remained on his staff throughout the Occupation. He & Muriel were married in Tokyo in Jan 1946. She was married in her Red Cross uniform - and he in his Army uniform. And they cut their wedding cake with a Samurai sword. Their only son Guy was born in Tokyo on 14 Aug 1946 - on the 1st anniversary of the end of WWII.
After the Occupation, Col. Ryder was the 1st U.S. Army Attaché to post-war Japan. He & Muriel remained in Japan until June 1955. He retired from the Army as a Brigadier General in June 1966. He then became an international business consultant and he & Muriel lived all over the world / until they moved to Pinehurst in 1984.
Between 1943 & 1984 - Muriel lived in New Guinea, the Philippines, Japan, France, Greece, Lebanon, Kenya, Sudan, Egypt, Indonesia, Barbados, Washington DC & McLean, Virginia. She also travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East & the Caribbean. Plus, made many shorter trips to other places worldwide - like Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Israel and all over the continental U.S & Hawaii.
Muriel came to Pinehurst in 1984 - and became a vibrant member & contributor to the Pinehurst community. She joined to help save the historic Pinehurst Track & stables from developers in the 1980s - and later to contribute to the restoration of the Fair Barn. She was a founding member & keen competitor at the Pinehurst Croquet Club / of the Pinehurst Country Club / and competed in tournaments in many states, thru many years. She was a devoted member of the Moore County Driving Club, with her love & skill with horses. She was active in the English Speaking Union & supporter of the North Carolina Symphony. And also of the Arts Council of Moore County, at Campbell House in Southern Pines. She was also a lifetime member of the Japan Society of New York & Washington DC - and the International Red Cross.
She was predeceased by 2 beloved brothers: her stepbrother John Phelan, a Navy Hellcat pilot killed in the Battle of Okinawa, in 1945 - & her younger brother Bud O'Connor, killed in a boating accident in New York, in 1978. And by her precious husband Bill, who died in Oct 1992.
She is survived by her son Guy & granddaughter Lindsey, of New York. And her stepdaughter Patricia Mueller of Winston-Salem, NC / and her children Chris & Stephanie and husband Dr. John Mueller.
A memorial celebration for Muriel will be arranged by the family at a later date. She will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery - alongside her beloved husband.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
May 29, 1918 - March 18, 2022
Muriel Elizabeth Ryder, age 103, of Pinehurst, NC, slipped away peacefully at her home, Friday, 18 March 2022 - surrounded by tender loving care from family & her beloved caregiver Lottie Mason. She was a fierce and brave American girl.
Born Muriel Elizabeth O'Connor, on 29 May 1918, in Manhattan, New York, to Catherine Grace Hill and John Joseph O'Connor, of New York.
At age 4, her family moved from Manhattan to a small farm in New Windsor, New York, near the Hudson River, 70 miles north of NYC. There her lifelong love of animals and nature was instilled - growing up with farm dogs & horses, barn cats & Holstein cows. She was riding simple ponies & work horses at age 5 - riding them bareback and every which-way as a child. By her early teens she was an expert rider and became an instructor at age 17 - and was competing in equestrian events thru her early 20s. She was also an expert swimmer, lifeguard & marksman. She graduated high school at Newburgh Free Academy, in Newburgh, NY - then completed 2 years at New Paltz College, in New Paltz, NY. She then left college to work in Manhattan - and pursue her goal to be an Olympic equestrian.
After the outbreak of WWII, she joined the International Red Cross in late 1942. By early 1943, she was serving in combat zones in New Guinea - with American & Australian forces, during vicious jungle fighting with the Japanese. In mid-1944, she was sent to the Philippines, where she served in combat zones with American & Allied forces, as they worked their way toward the invasion of Japan. There she met her future husband, Col. William Thomas Ryder, West Point Class of 1936 - who was America's first paratroop commander and was Airborne advisor to Gen. Douglas MacArthur at the time.
WWII ended on 14 Aug 1945. She was then sent by the Red Cross from the Philippines to Japan in Oct 1945 - to serve during the first 6 months of the American Occupation there. She arrived in Tokyo only 2 months after the atomic bombs were dropped - and witnessed many scenes of utter destruction in Japan, with key parts of the country reduced to a pile of ashes. She was one of only a handful of American or Western women even allowed to enter Japan at that time / during the first months & year after the war.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur was the supreme commander of the Occupation of Japan. Col. William Ryder was still his Airborne advisor - and then remained on his staff throughout the Occupation. He & Muriel were married in Tokyo in Jan 1946. She was married in her Red Cross uniform - and he in his Army uniform. And they cut their wedding cake with a Samurai sword. Their only son Guy was born in Tokyo on 14 Aug 1946 - on the 1st anniversary of the end of WWII.
After the Occupation, Col. Ryder was the 1st U.S. Army Attaché to post-war Japan. He & Muriel remained in Japan until June 1955. He retired from the Army as a Brigadier General in June 1966. He then became an international business consultant and he & Muriel lived all over the world / until they moved to Pinehurst in 1984.
Between 1943 & 1984 - Muriel lived in New Guinea, the Philippines, Japan, France, Greece, Lebanon, Kenya, Sudan, Egypt, Indonesia, Barbados, Washington DC & McLean, Virginia. She also travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East & the Caribbean. Plus, made many shorter trips to other places worldwide - like Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Israel and all over the continental U.S & Hawaii.
Muriel came to Pinehurst in 1984 - and became a vibrant member & contributor to the Pinehurst community. She joined to help save the historic Pinehurst Track & stables from developers in the 1980s - and later to contribute to the restoration of the Fair Barn. She was a founding member & keen competitor at the Pinehurst Croquet Club / of the Pinehurst Country Club / and competed in tournaments in many states, thru many years. She was a devoted member of the Moore County Driving Club, with her love & skill with horses. She was active in the English Speaking Union & supporter of the North Carolina Symphony. And also of the Arts Council of Moore County, at Campbell House in Southern Pines. She was also a lifetime member of the Japan Society of New York & Washington DC - and the International Red Cross.
She was predeceased by 2 beloved brothers: her stepbrother John Phelan, a Navy Hellcat pilot killed in the Battle of Okinawa, in 1945 - & her younger brother Bud O'Connor, killed in a boating accident in New York, in 1978. And by her precious husband Bill, who died in Oct 1992.
She is survived by her son Guy & granddaughter Lindsey, of New York. And her stepdaughter Patricia Mueller of Winston-Salem, NC / and her children Chris & Stephanie and husband Dr. John Mueller.
A memorial celebration for Muriel will be arranged by the family at a later date. She will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery - alongside her beloved husband.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
Muriel Elizabeth Ryder
May 29, 1918 - March 18, 2022
Muriel Elizabeth Ryder, age 103, of Pinehurst, NC, slipped away peacefully at her home, Friday, 18 March 2022 - surrounded by tender loving care from family & her beloved caregiver Lottie Mason. She was a fierce and brave American girl.
Born Muriel Elizabeth O'Connor, on 29 May 1918, in Manhattan, New York, to Catherine Grace Hill and John Joseph O'Connor, of New York.
At age 4, her family moved from Manhattan to a small farm in New Windsor, New York, near the Hudson River, 70 miles north of NYC. There her lifelong love of animals and nature was instilled - growing up with farm dogs & horses, barn cats & Holstein cows. She was riding simple ponies & work horses at age 5 - riding them bareback and every which-way as a child. By her early teens she was an expert rider and became an instructor at age 17 - and was competing in equestrian events thru her early 20s. She was also an expert swimmer, lifeguard & marksman. She graduated high school at Newburgh Free Academy, in Newburgh, NY - then completed 2 years at New Paltz College, in New Paltz, NY. She then left college to work in Manhattan - and pursue her goal to be an Olympic equestrian.
After the outbreak of WWII, she joined the International Red Cross in late 1942. By early 1943, she was serving in combat zones in New Guinea - with American & Australian forces, during vicious jungle fighting with the Japanese. In mid-1944, she was sent to the Philippines, where she served in combat zones with American & Allied forces, as they worked their way toward the invasion of Japan. There she met her future husband, Col. William Thomas Ryder, West Point Class of 1936 - who was America's first paratroop commander and was Airborne advisor to Gen. Douglas MacArthur at the time.
WWII ended on 14 Aug 1945. She was then sent by the Red Cross from the Philippines to Japan in Oct 1945 - to serve during the first 6 months of the American Occupation there. She arrived in Tokyo only 2 months after the atomic bombs were dropped - and witnessed many scenes of utter destruction in Japan, with key parts of the country reduced to a pile of ashes. She was one of only a handful of American or Western women even allowed to enter Japan at that time / during the first months & year after the war.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur was the supreme commander of the Occupation of Japan. Col. William Ryder was still his Airborne advisor - and then remained on his staff throughout the Occupation. He & Muriel were married in Tokyo in Jan 1946. She was married in her Red Cross uniform - and he in his Army uniform. And they cut their wedding cake with a Samurai sword. Their only son Guy was born in Tokyo on 14 Aug 1946 - on the 1st anniversary of the end of WWII.
After the Occupation, Col. Ryder was the 1st U.S. Army Attaché to post-war Japan. He & Muriel remained in Japan until June 1955. He retired from the Army as a Brigadier General in June 1966. He then became an international business consultant and he & Muriel lived all over the world / until they moved to Pinehurst in 1984.
Between 1943 & 1984 - Muriel lived in New Guinea, the Philippines, Japan, France, Greece, Lebanon, Kenya, Sudan, Egypt, Indonesia, Barbados, Washington DC & McLean, Virginia. She also travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East & the Caribbean. Plus, made many shorter trips to other places worldwide - like Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Israel and all over the continental U.S & Hawaii.
Muriel came to Pinehurst in 1984 - and became a vibrant member & contributor to the Pinehurst community. She joined to help save the historic Pinehurst Track & stables from developers in the 1980s - and later to contribute to the restoration of the Fair Barn. She was a founding member & keen competitor at the Pinehurst Croquet Club / of the Pinehurst Country Club / and competed in tournaments in many states, thru many years. She was a devoted member of the Moore County Driving Club, with her love & skill with horses. She was active in the English Speaking Union & supporter of the North Carolina Symphony. And also of the Arts Council of Moore County, at Campbell House in Southern Pines. She was also a lifetime member of the Japan Society of New York & Washington DC - and the International Red Cross.
She was predeceased by 2 beloved brothers: her stepbrother John Phelan, a Navy Hellcat pilot killed in the Battle of Okinawa, in 1945 - & her younger brother Bud O'Connor, killed in a boating accident in New York, in 1978. And by her precious husband Bill, who died in Oct 1992.
She is survived by her son Guy & granddaughter Lindsey, of New York. And her stepdaughter Patricia Mueller of Winston-Salem, NC / and her children Chris & Stephanie and husband Dr. John Mueller.
A memorial celebration for Muriel will be arranged by the family at a later date. She will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery - alongside her beloved husband.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
May 29, 1918 - March 18, 2022
Muriel Elizabeth Ryder, age 103, of Pinehurst, NC, slipped away peacefully at her home, Friday, 18 March 2022 - surrounded by tender loving care from family & her beloved caregiver Lottie Mason. She was a fierce and brave American girl.
Born Muriel Elizabeth O'Connor, on 29 May 1918, in Manhattan, New York, to Catherine Grace Hill and John Joseph O'Connor, of New York.
At age 4, her family moved from Manhattan to a small farm in New Windsor, New York, near the Hudson River, 70 miles north of NYC. There her lifelong love of animals and nature was instilled - growing up with farm dogs & horses, barn cats & Holstein cows. She was riding simple ponies & work horses at age 5 - riding them bareback and every which-way as a child. By her early teens she was an expert rider and became an instructor at age 17 - and was competing in equestrian events thru her early 20s. She was also an expert swimmer, lifeguard & marksman. She graduated high school at Newburgh Free Academy, in Newburgh, NY - then completed 2 years at New Paltz College, in New Paltz, NY. She then left college to work in Manhattan - and pursue her goal to be an Olympic equestrian.
After the outbreak of WWII, she joined the International Red Cross in late 1942. By early 1943, she was serving in combat zones in New Guinea - with American & Australian forces, during vicious jungle fighting with the Japanese. In mid-1944, she was sent to the Philippines, where she served in combat zones with American & Allied forces, as they worked their way toward the invasion of Japan. There she met her future husband, Col. William Thomas Ryder, West Point Class of 1936 - who was America's first paratroop commander and was Airborne advisor to Gen. Douglas MacArthur at the time.
WWII ended on 14 Aug 1945. She was then sent by the Red Cross from the Philippines to Japan in Oct 1945 - to serve during the first 6 months of the American Occupation there. She arrived in Tokyo only 2 months after the atomic bombs were dropped - and witnessed many scenes of utter destruction in Japan, with key parts of the country reduced to a pile of ashes. She was one of only a handful of American or Western women even allowed to enter Japan at that time / during the first months & year after the war.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur was the supreme commander of the Occupation of Japan. Col. William Ryder was still his Airborne advisor - and then remained on his staff throughout the Occupation. He & Muriel were married in Tokyo in Jan 1946. She was married in her Red Cross uniform - and he in his Army uniform. And they cut their wedding cake with a Samurai sword. Their only son Guy was born in Tokyo on 14 Aug 1946 - on the 1st anniversary of the end of WWII.
After the Occupation, Col. Ryder was the 1st U.S. Army Attaché to post-war Japan. He & Muriel remained in Japan until June 1955. He retired from the Army as a Brigadier General in June 1966. He then became an international business consultant and he & Muriel lived all over the world / until they moved to Pinehurst in 1984.
Between 1943 & 1984 - Muriel lived in New Guinea, the Philippines, Japan, France, Greece, Lebanon, Kenya, Sudan, Egypt, Indonesia, Barbados, Washington DC & McLean, Virginia. She also travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East & the Caribbean. Plus, made many shorter trips to other places worldwide - like Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Israel and all over the continental U.S & Hawaii.
Muriel came to Pinehurst in 1984 - and became a vibrant member & contributor to the Pinehurst community. She joined to help save the historic Pinehurst Track & stables from developers in the 1980s - and later to contribute to the restoration of the Fair Barn. She was a founding member & keen competitor at the Pinehurst Croquet Club / of the Pinehurst Country Club / and competed in tournaments in many states, thru many years. She was a devoted member of the Moore County Driving Club, with her love & skill with horses. She was active in the English Speaking Union & supporter of the North Carolina Symphony. And also of the Arts Council of Moore County, at Campbell House in Southern Pines. She was also a lifetime member of the Japan Society of New York & Washington DC - and the International Red Cross.
She was predeceased by 2 beloved brothers: her stepbrother John Phelan, a Navy Hellcat pilot killed in the Battle of Okinawa, in 1945 - & her younger brother Bud O'Connor, killed in a boating accident in New York, in 1978. And by her precious husband Bill, who died in Oct 1992.
She is survived by her son Guy & granddaughter Lindsey, of New York. And her stepdaughter Patricia Mueller of Winston-Salem, NC / and her children Chris & Stephanie and husband Dr. John Mueller.
A memorial celebration for Muriel will be arranged by the family at a later date. She will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery - alongside her beloved husband.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
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