Alice (Castle) Ryan

Alice (Castle) Ryan, 85, of Brewster, died on September 11. 2026. She was the beloved wife of Daniel F. Ryan with whom she shared 65 years of marriage on their anniversary 3 weeks ago.

 

Daughter of the late Kenneth V. and Evelyn (Randell) Castle, Alice was born and raised in White Plains, NY. She graduated from White Plains High School in 1959. She was blessed with a beautiful voice. Her voice coaches classified it as 'dramatic soprano.' During her senior year, she was runner-up in the Metropolitan Opera Guild auditions in New York City. She was never interested in pursuing a career as a singer, but she continued with vocal coaching for most of her life. Singing was an important side hobby. She devoted her talent as a soloist in churches, loved performing in musicals, and for many years served as the lead vocalist with the Clear Lake Chamber Music Society in the greater Houston area.

Her favorite music was German lieder, especially works by Schubert, such as Winterreise and Die Schöne Müllerin cycles. She was also very gifted in Italian and French Baroque works.

 

Alice loved performing in musicals. Three notable performances included the role of Angelina in Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury in Baton Rouge and two separate performances as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music in the greater Houston area.

 

Alice and Dan retired to the Cape 23 years ago, moving from Baton Rouge, LA. For more than six decades, Alice assisted Dan in his Charles Dickens collection. The collection consisted of letters signed by Dickens, hundreds of letters signed by his circle of friends, artwork by his original illustrators, and a vast collection of first editions. Alice was skilled in categorizing and communicating with dealers and auction houses worldwide. The Daniel and Alice Ryan 'Charles Dickens Collection' has been donated to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and more information is available on the WPI website.

 

Alice was predeceased by her half-brother, Kenneth J. Castle of Orleans, MA, and her brother, Robert L. Castle of Lexington, KY.

Alice and Dan have two sons: Daniel F. Ryan, Jr. of Friendswood, TX, and Stephen C. Ryan of Brewster, MA. They have three grandchildren: John Daniel Ryan of Friendswood, TX; Pastor Nate Ryan of Brewster, MA; and Sophia Ryan, also of Brewster, MA. They have one great-grandchild: Danielle Ryan of Brewster, MA.

Visiting hours will be held at the Doane, Beal, & Ames Funeral Home, 260 Main St. (Rt. 28) West Harwich on Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 3-6 PM. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM and then travel in procession to Evergreen Cemetery, Harwich.

 

A memorial service will be held at the Brewster Baptist Church at a later date.

 

Alice's family requests that you consider a donation in her memory to the Brewster Baptist Church - www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org