Mary Ellen Ryder
Mary Ellen Ryder was a Boise State University linguistics professor who died on August 25, 2008, after a rapidly moving grass fire engulfed her southeast Boise home. Her husband, Peter Ryder escaped the blaze, which destroyed at least nine other homes in the area.1
Fast Facts
- Occupation: Professor of Linguistics, Boise State University1
- Residence: 3594 Immigrant Pass, Boise, Idaho2
- Survived two incidences of breast cancer3
- Named Faculty Member of the Year in 19952
- Taught at Boise State for 20 years3
- Scheduled to begin new semester on August 26, 20082
The Fire
Police tried to evacuate houses in the path of the brushfire, which quickly engulfed at least nine homes.4 Ryder's body was found after a secondary search of the home, and while it is believed she died in the fire, a cause of death has not yet been determined.1
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