Obituary of Paula L. Ryan

Paula L. Ryan (née Mazzone) of Merchantville, formerly of Buffalo, NY, passed away peacefully at home on June 20, 2025, at the age of 76. The week leading up to her passing she was surrounded with a celebration of everything she loved most: family, friends who became family, laughter echoing through the house, shared meals and good drinks, beautiful memories, her favorite music, and an endless outpouring of love. When the time came, Paula slipped away on the morning of the Summer. Solstice, quietly and peacefully, just as she wanted — on her own terms, in her own space, with her heart full.

Beloved wife of Hollis for 42 years, devoted mother of Emily (Mark) and Ely, caring stepmother to Lesley and Andy, and cherished grandmother to Lucia, Vera, Holly, and Madeline. As the first born, she was the beloved eldest sister of Tom, Lucille, Theresa, and Ann Marie. She is also survived by her ex-husband Bill Wahl (whom she had always remained close friends with), many nieces and nephews, countless friends, and devoted former clients.

In the 1970s, Paula (yes, a former hippie✌️) was an integral part of founding the Himalayan Institute in Buffalo, NY, helping to establish a sacred space of healing, learning, and personal growth in her hometown. A lifelong seeker and teacher, she brought her passion for yoga and wellness to South Jersey, where she co-founded the Wellspring Center for Yoga and Health in downtown Merchantville in — introducing yoga as a companion to mental health care well before it was mainstream.

Paula also ran her own private therapy practice, Wellspring Counseling Center, which began in Moorestown and eventually moved into the comforting space of her own home. Her approach to therapy was anything but conventional—she wove breathwork, body awareness, and elements of yogic tradition into her sessions, creating a deeply grounded and holistic experience for those she served. She believed healing wasn’t just about talking, but about reconnecting to the body, the breath, and the present moment. Her sessions often included mindful movement, meditative stillness, or a gentle invitation to pause and breathe—meeting each person where they were, and helping them find their way forward with grace and clarity.

She was a true trailblazer in her field, blending psychotherapy, yoga, and meditation into her work long before integrative approaches were common. Her clients didn’t just find healing—they found someone who saw them. Many became dear friends and, in her final days, were among those gathered around her, offering laughter, memories, and love amongst the beautiful music playing in the background (music is life).

She had an uncanny ability or openness about her, to where complete strangers would pour their hearts out—whether in a checkout line or a restaurant. She made deep connections, and knew exactly when someone just needed a safe place to land. Her open-door spirit led to a revolving cast of “temporary housemates”—people she barely knew but deeply believed in—who just needed a roof, a cup of tea, a bowl of homemade pasta, and a bit of time to get back on their feet.

Paula didn’t just help people overcome trauma—she helped them reclaim joy, find their center, and believe in themselves again. She created community wherever she went, often unintentionally, always authentically. Whether you knew her for fifty years or five minutes, you likely walked away feeling lighter, seen, and loved.

She was a big force, always the life of the party, the calm in the storm, and the reason so many people found a new chapter when they thought theirs had ended.

Her legacy lives on in all the lives she touched, healed, housed, and loved.

"Love is our birthright 

Happiness is a choice 

It's almost too simple" ~ Paula Ryan

Paula's wish was for cremation. Please see below for information on the service to honor Paula and celebrate her generous spirit:

Relatives & friends are invited to the memorial Visitation & Funeral on Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 11 AM to 12 PM at Falco Caruso & Leonard Funeral Home 6600 N. Browning Road in Pennsauken, where a service will be held from 12 until 1 PM.  A Celebration of Paula's Life will follow.