A memorial Mass for Sister Kara Ryan was celebrated April 6 in the School Sisters of Notre Dame Theresa Center chapel in south St. Louis County.

Sister Kara died March 23 at Maria Health Care Center in Baltimore. She was 81 and a former teacher, computer programmer and professor.

Born in St. Louis, Sister Kara attended Rosati-Kain High School and entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1953. She professed first vows in 1955 and final vows in 1961. She earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1957 from the former Notre Dame College in St. Louis, a master's degree in mathematics in 1964 from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, a master's degree in physics in 1965 from Loyola University in New Orleans and a doctorate degree in mathematics in 1984 from St. Louis University in St. Louis. She helped develop the computer science department at SLU while studying for her doctorate degree.

Sister Kara began her teaching career at Redemptorist High School in New Orleans. She held teaching and professor roles at the former Notre Dame College, St. Louis University and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland in Baltimore. She also served as a computer programmer and analyst for the former St. Louis Province.

After several years of volunteer service at the School Sisters of Notre Dame Residence in Baltimore, she moved to Villa Assumpta motherhouse in Baltimore in 2015.

Survivors include a sister, Jeanne Wanner of St. Louis. Burial was in the Sancta Maria in Ripa cemetery.