Obituary of Alethea Ryan Shuler

Alethea Ryan Shuler of Tampa, FL was born in 1924 in Lewistown, PA to James H. and Bertha Knox Ryan.  She passed into the larger life in late May while in St. Petersburg, FL.  At 94, Alethea’s remarkable memory still amazed family and friends with her natural gift for storytelling and poems, without ever accessing the Cloud. 

Alethea was married for 45 years to the late James E. Shuler, a native of Pittsburgh, PA and a veteran of two wars; She was predeceased by her siblings Dorothy Ryan, Arlene Singley, and Tom Ryan, all of Tampa, FL; And her brother Jack Ryan of Milroy, PA, sister Madelene Pryor of York, PA; And brothers Sturgis and James Ryan who died in early childhood.   

Alethea is survived by her sisters, Mrs. Susie Thompson of Harrisburg, PA and Mrs. Annette Valdespino of Wellington, FL; And Alethea’s sons, Jim Ryan Shuler of Atlanta, GA and Prof. Bryan T. Shuler of St. Petersburg, FL; She was a loving grandmother to Bella, Aidan, Tristan, Harrison and Elizabeth and great grandmother to Lily, Maisy and Eevy.   

From the watchtower of her wingback chair, Alethea also shepherded 19 nieces and nephews across the country and around the globe with only a phone.  Neighbors knew her as the Bible-smart octogenarian who cultivated orchids in the backyard while nurturing friendships in her living room. Alethea’s house was an oasis of ice tea, hot coffee and engaging conversation over all things Irish for anyone who crossed her threshold to a gentler time. 

A celebration of Alethea Shuler’s life will be held on Saturday, June 23rd, at 4:00PM in the sanctuary at Peninsular Christian Church in Tampa, FL., with Pastor Kent Riner officiating. Alethea loved flowers, but donations may also be made in her memory to the Suncoast Hospice Foundation in Clearwater, FL.