In Memory

Robyn Ryser (Nicholas)

Robyn Ryser Nicholas

1949 - 2017

 

Neighbors, friends, and family mourn the loss of Robyn Ryser Nicholas, who passed away March 12, 2017. With sincere warmth and kindness, Robyn touched the lives and hearts of many. Among her greatest gifts was a selfless interest in others, which she used to live a life full of service, education, friendship, and love.

Robyn was born November 23, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Jim and Elizabeth Ryser. This was a loving home, where Robyn, her brothers, and sister were taught by example to be honest, humble, and helpful, and to love others. Jim often counseled his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to “stay as sweet as you are,” and to his great joy, Robyn lived that counsel throughout her life.

It was this sweetness that attracted her eternal companion, Peter Michael Nicholas. Passing through the Grand Tetons, Pete met Robyn at Jenny Lake Lodge and abruptly cut short his tour, choosing to stay in the Tetons with Robyn for what remained of his leave of duty from the Coast Guard. Their ensuing courtship spanned four years and several continents, and Robyn and Pete were married in the Salt Lake Temple, January 2, 1973. The following summer, they honeymooned with backpacks and sleeping bags along the Teton Crest Trail. Forty-four years later, Robyn could confidently declare, “He adores me.”

Their marriage was blessed with four children. Robyn excelled as a mother. With patience, love, and creativity, she helped her children grow. She delighted in watching them pick their own paths through life, always there to counsel. Naturally, all paths closely followed her own, as all four of her children received advanced degrees and have worked in education, just like Mom.

For twenty-seven years Robyn worked for the Granite School District as a speech pathologist. She specialized in teaching pre-school age children to speak and was instrumental in helping establish a speech school program. To these kids she was “Teacher Robyn.” Their small gifts to her can be found in every corner of her home.

In her free time, like her father before her, Robyn loved to garden. The simple lessons of the earth appealed to her, as they did her dad. There was closeness to God and his creations to be found outside, and the garden gave Robyn the opportunity to serve others. Her raspberries, apples, plums, apricots, and nuts found their way in various forms to the pantries of countless neighbors and friends. Weeding the front flower beds on early summer mornings was a social event for Robyn. She’d call out to passerby—neighbor or stranger—chat with them awhile, and then send them on their way with dug up irises or a bushel of golden delicious apples.

She knew how to make people feel noticed and loved. Her desires to know people and help them led her to many service opportunities in her church and community. To the Monument Park and Ensign wards she was an important part of many primary, young women’s, and Relief Society presidencies; to the Westminster student ward she was “Sister Bishop”; and most recently, she has been Sister Nicholas, an inner-city missionary serving alongside Pete in Sandy, Utah. On Herbert Ave, aside from the morning chats and standing offers of produce, she is known for gathering her neighbors each year for a backyard get-together.

Robyn’s love has spread far and wide, and she will be missed by all. She is survived by her husband, Pete, her children, Jenny, Mike (Amanda), Dave (Shannon), and Tom. Her eight grandchildren, Peter, Penny, Lucy, Molly, Rita, Gabe, Joel, and Eden will miss Grandma dearly, but as always, she is near us, just ahead of us, quietly leading the way.

Memorial services will be held at the Princeton Ward chapel, 1005 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, March 18 at 11:00 AM. From 9:30-10:30 friends and family are invited to greet one another and remember Robyn. A viewing will be held Friday, March 17 at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, from 6:00-8:00 PM.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=robyn-ryser-nicholas&pid=184528385

http://www.larkinmortuary.com/obituary/robyn-ryser-nicholas/

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=robyn-ryser-nicholas&pid=184528385 http://www.larkinmortuary.com/obituary/robyn-ryser-ni