SHAH ALAM, April 9 — The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj and Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin extended their condolences to the family and heirs of the late Datin Paduka Sister Enda Ryan, SMK Assunta's founder and headmistress, who passed away on Sunday (April 7) aged 96.
In a statement on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page yesterday, Their Royal Highnesses said Ryan had greatly contributed to education and welfare in Malaysia ever since she first arrived in Malaya in 1955.
The former teacher was subsequently recognised as the Selangor Teaching Icon (Tokoh Guru Negeri Selangor) in 1990.
"For her contributions and efforts, His Royal Highness bestowed the Darjah Kebesaran Dato’ Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah award upon the deceased in 2007, which carries the title of Datin Paduka," said the office.
Born in 1928, Ryan was originally from Galbally in County Limerick, Ireland. In 1947, she joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary and later came to Malaya for the first time in 1954 at the age of 26.
Ryan initially came to the country at the request of then-Chief Justice of Malaya Sir Michael Hogan, who asked her to establish schools for the daughters of families who experienced disruption due to the Malayan Emergency (1948 to 1960).
A proponent of women’s education, Ryan also played an important role in developing the Ave Maria Clinic in Petaling Jaya, which eventually grew to become Assunta Hospital.
After over two decades of service in the country, she became a Malaysian citizen in December 1966. Throughout the course of her decades-long career, Ryan was bestowed with numerous awards and decorations.
They include the Education Ministry's Excellent Service Award in 1985, as well as the Pingat Jasa Cemerlang in 1986 and the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian in 1987 from the then-Sultan of Selangor Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj.
Sister Enda won several awards during the 31 years of her diligent service including, the Excellent Service Award from the Ministry of Education (1985), the Pingat Jasa Cemerlang (1986), the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK.) from DYMM Sultan of Selangor (1987) and the Anugerah Tokoh Guru Selangor (1990).
Although she retired in June 1989, Ryan still played an active role in the school, attending its special occasions like Teachers’ Day, Prize Giving Day, Assunta Spirit Week, and the annual Sports Day.
