Dryden was born in Elora, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada, on 16 October 1888. She was raised on a farm and, as a teenager, she left to pursue studies and become a teacher.

In December 1917, she married Guy Dryden, a Scottish immigrant who worked as the bank. The couple had two children: Elaine and Douglas. In 1918, she moved to Vancouver after having taught in small schoolhouses across the Prairies. In 1928, she joined Kitsilano United Church. She was actively involved in women’s associations. During World War II and into the 1960s, she was volunteering for the Red Cross. Her husband passed away in 1955.

Around the age of 95, she moved into a nursing home. On 7 June 1993, at the age of 104, she received a SPRY Award (The Society for Programs in Retirement Years) at the ceremony held in Vancouver’s Waterfront Hotel. She received the award for being the oldest resident at her nursing home.

At the age of 105, she was still trying to read 10 to 20 pages every night before going to bed.

Dryden passed away in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on 20 July 2000, at the age of 111 years, 278 days. She was survived by her two children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.