Josephine Landrey

Josephine Landrey (Ryan) of Riddle Village, Media, PA and long-time resident of Wayne, PA died on July 26th of natural causes. She was born in Malden, MA on September 14, 1919 to the late William Francis and Mary Josephine (Donaher) Ryan. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Radcliffe College ('40), where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.



Following her graduation she joined the research team of Harvard biochemist Dr. Paul D. Bartlett where she participated in the synthesis of the novel molecule Triptycene, a breakthrough that significantly advanced the understanding of hydrocarbon ring molecules. Her long career in biochemistry, which began at Harvard, continued with faculty level appointments in the Biology Departments of Bryn Mawr College and then Drexel University. Her focus of study was the synthesis and structure of lipids in biological membranes. She was a coauthor on over 45 peer reviewed publications.



Josephine's greatest joy was her family. She cherished her time as a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, wife and homemaker and firmly believed that society should acknowledge and value more highly the contributions made by women in such non-career roles. In July of 1943, she married Leo R. Landrey and they raised 5 children. The family moved to Wayne in 1952 where they lived for 50 years. During that time she was active in numerous organizations, including the ABC House for underprivileged high school students, the Urban/Suburban Coalition, the Radcliffe Alumni Association and the Women's Phi Beta Kappa Association. She delighted particularly in her work with scouting and church. All her children were Boy or Girl Scouts and she served as everything from den mother to senior troop leader. She was a member of St. Katharine of Siena Church in Wayne, PA and was active in the Ladies Chapter at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli. In 2002 she and Leo moved to Riddle Village in Media, PA.



In addition to her passion for family and science, Josephine was an avid gardener, a skilled knitter and master embroiderer. Her home was always filled with seasonal flowers and native plant arrangements. She was a 40 year member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America, serving as president for 4 years. She also completed extensive genealogical research on her and her husband's families.



Josephine was a treasured and loyal friend. She is remembered by her graduate students and her children as an effective and patient teacher. She was a loving wife and a champion of her children. She was known for her fiery red hair that was equally matched by her determined, can-do personality.



Josephine was preceded in death by her husband Leo and her brother John D. Ryan. She is survived by her five children: David R. Landrey (Joan) of Sarasota, FL, Kathleen L. Wilson (Glenn) of Kingston, WA, Christine L. Savage (Joseph) of Baltimore, MD, Francis D. Landrey (Maureen Kilfoyle) of Chappaqua, NY and Gregory J. Landrey (Lynne) of Wilmington, DE. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.



A reception for family and friends will be held at Munson Lovetere Funeral Home in Woodbury, CT beginning at 9:30 AM, Saturday, August 29. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM at St. Teresa's Catholic Church, in Woodbury. Interment will follow the services at New North Cemetery also in Woodbury.



In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either Daylesford Abbey, 220 S. Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301 or the Old Woodbury Historical Society, P.O. Box 705, Woodbury, CT 06798.

Visitation

Saturday, August 29, 2015 9:30 AM
Munson Lovetere Funeral Home
Woodbury

CT 06798

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