Lura Lynn Ryan: Former First Lady of Illinois Dies at 76

Lura Lynn Ryan was the First Lady of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. Born Lura Lynn Lowe on July 5, 1934, in Aroma Park, Illinois, she married George Ryan in 1956.

Her husband served as governor, and she was the first chairwoman of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. She co-authored a 2002 book about the history of Illinois governors and their families. They had six children.

Her husband was later convicted of corruption charges from his time as secretary of state. Ryan died of complications of cancer and chemotherapy in Kankakee, Illinois, on June 27, 2011, at age 76.

Achievements: First Lady of Illinois (1999-2003), chair of the Lincoln Library board.

Birth: July 5, 1934 - Aroma Park, Illinois.

Profession: First Lady.

Interesting Facts: She was also Second Lady of Illinois in the 1980s.