[8]: 196 During World War II, Ryan worked two years as a nurse's aide[11] after receiving her diploma from Misericordia Hospital in Manhattan, New York.

On a typical day, she worked at a hospital from 7:15 a.m. until noon, spent the afternoon on radio and visited with soldiers at the canteen in the evenings.

[12] Ryan married George Robert Gibson, seaman in the Royal Navy, on August 5, 1945 in Manhattan.

[5][13] On February 14, 1949, Ryan was performing on a Cavalcade of America broadcast when, as reported in a United Press wire service story, she was "stricken with a splitting headache.

[1] Coincidentally, in the episode, "Valentine for Sophie," Ryan's character was a woman who suffered from severe headaches.

She was revived two minutes before air time and carried through, acting her part in the program despite having what she called "a slight headache.