email:  whitpresby@mindspring.com

New Members

Mark & Deborah Ryan

NEW MEMBER PROFILES

Deborah & Mark Ryan

          We'd like some basic information on you to introduce you to our congregation. You may be as brief or as detailed as you like. We may need to edit longer responses. Please write a paragraph answering some of the following questions:

(1)  Where were you born/raised? What about your family?

Deborah:    I was born in Stanton, Ca. but moved often as a child.  There were five kinds in my family, one boy and 4 girls.  I am second in the line-up.  I went to junior high and high school in Santa Maria, Ca. and the college in San Luis Obispo.  As an adult, I moved often until I moved to Whittier, twelve years ago.

Mark       I was born and raised in Long Beach, Ca.  I have a younger brother, Tim and two older sisters, Joann and Mary.  I am married to a wonderful person named Deborah, whom I love dearly.  I have a son from a previous marriage whose name is Casey.  He will be 21 in April and lives in La Habra.

(2)  How long have you been in Whittier? Why did you come to Whittier?

Deborah    I have been in Whittier/Fullerton for twelve years, but only one year at my current address.  I moved to Whittier in 1992 because my parents lived here and I was fed up with my job, so I quit and moved into my parent’s house at age 32.  It was actually a good thing as my grandmother also lived with my parents and had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  I stayed home and cared for her for her last months.

 Mark      I have lived in Whittier since 1983.  I have worked in and around this community for 25 years.  I like the “small town” atmosphere and the people here are very friendly.

(3)  What particular hobbies/interests do you have? Please add any other information that you think would be pertinent.

Deborah       I love to read, knit, crochet.  When I lived in Sacramento, I was involved with Caps for Kids (a program where we knitted caps for kids in shelters).  It would be interesting to do similar things with the church; e.g. finding ways to help people.

Mark       I enjoy playing golf.    I am currently, in school completing a Masters.  I enjoy reading, gardening, and spending time with Deborah.  I would like to teach at the college level when I retire.