Obituary of Jeanne M. Ryan

Jeanne M. Ryan, 91, passed away peacefully on Friday October 6, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.  She will be remembered for her devotion to family, quick wit, lively spirit, and deadpan delivery of jokes which never failed to delight. 

Jeanne Marie Lawson was born on November 21,1931 and raised in Port Chester, NY, the daughter of Sally Marino and Kenneth Lawson. She attended the Ursuline School in New Rochelle, followed by art school in New York. She went on to design fabric for Schumacher.  She carried an appreciation of art throughout her life, creating treasured oil paintings and jewelry. Following Schumacher she worked at B Altman and Company, first at the switchboard then being promoted to the jewelry department. 

In 1953 she married the love of her life Charles Ryan and they soon settled in Rye Brook NY.  Having been an only child, Jeanne wanted nothing more than to be a part of a large family, and that’s what she and Charlie created. Together they raised seven children and provided an engaged and active family life. Over the years their family expanded to include 24 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, with more on the way. Jeanne nurtured a unique relationship with each one of her grandchildren, celebrating each of their birthdays and milestone events.  

For over 20 years Jeanne worked as a receptionist at the law firm of Hollis Laidlaw & Simon (formerly Shamburg Marwell) until the age of 74.  She lovingly cared for Charlie until his passing in 2004.

Despite many health challenges in her later years, Jeanne persevered with faith and good humor, singing to her favorites by Carly Simon, Michael Mc Donald and Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”  Her legacy will live on in the love of her close-knit family.

Jeanne is predeceased by her parents Sally Marino and Kenneth Lawson and her husband Charles Ryan. She is survived by her children Amy (Barry) Wynkoop, Megan (Victor) Ziminsky, Nora (Ned) Golterman, Chip (Suzanne) Ryan, Sally Ryan (Lisa Holmes), Kennan (Annie) Ryan, and Kelly Ryan (Dave Gartrell); grandchildren Ryan (Ellen) Wynkoop, Garret Wynkoop, Erik (Sara) Wynkoop, Megan (Mike) Romano, Victor (Ally) Ziminsky, Philip Ziminsky, Kathleen Ziminsky, Leo Ziminsky, Joan Ziminsky (Drew Cooper), Marian Ziminsky (engaged to Benji Soll), Helen Ziminsky, Greg Ziminsky, Sam Golterman, Max (Ellie) Golterman, Marta (Greg) Golterman, Spencer (Katie) Ryan, Bennett Ryan, Halle Ryan, Cassidy Ryan, Regan Ryan, KJ Ryan, Nicholas Gene Ryan, Sam Gartrell and Charlee Kate Gartrell; great grandchildren Margaret, Lawton, Roan, Beckett, and Aila.

Calling hours will be from 3-6pm on Monday, October 9 at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah NY. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Tuesday, October 10 at St Patrick’s Church, 7 Pound Ridge Road, Bedford NY. 

Donations in Jeanne’s memory can be made to the Katonah Village Library https://katonahlibrary.org/support/donate/.  You can also support disabled artists by shopping at Mouth and Foot Painting Artists https://mfpausa.com/.