Ryan, Virginia Ford – 1933-2010

BARR, BOWERS, COSNER, CURRAN, FORD, RYAN

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 6/14/2010 at 14:36:20

ALBIA — Virginia Ford Ryan passed away in Newton, Iowa, on Tuesday morning, June 8, 2010, at the Skiff Medical Center Hospice Unit.
She was born Aug. 22, 1933, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to George and Flola Curran Ford. She attended Ottumwa High School and graduated in 1951. She also attended St. Joseph School of Nursing in Ottumwa and graduated in 1955. From 1955 to December of 1956, she was a public health nurse for Wapello County.
She married Joe D. Ryan in 1957 and lived in Melrose, Iowa, until the time of her husband’s death in 1961. Following his death, she moved to Albia, Iowa, where she raised her family. Mrs. Ryan was the first public health nurse for Monroe County in 20 years. While a public health nurse, she helped establish a committee to begin a Meals on Wheels program, the Leisure Lounge Senior Program and Home Health Program. All of these programs are ongoing in Monroe County to this date.
She then went to work in 1967 for the VAMC in Knoxville, Iowa, retiring in 1994. She also received a bachelor of arts degree from Stephens College Without Walls program in 1978, receiving this education while recovering from a double mastectomy. She also received 15 hours toward a master’s degree in social work from Drake University.
She moved to Newton in 1998 to enjoy the benefits of being a grandmother. Her greatest love was her family and friends. She enjoyed playing Canasta in the same club for more than 50 years. She also enjoyed playing Euchre and taking pictures.
She was a member and past president of NARFE (National Active & Retired Federal Employees) and past state chair of NARFE State Alzheimer’s. She was also a member of Retired Nurses; Red Ruby Red Hat Club; Skiff Auxiliary volunteer; and a reading mentor for first grade children at Berg Elementary School.
Virginia is survived by four children, Patrick Joseph (Marcia) of Eldora, Iowa, Daniel F. (Sharon) of Knoxville, Iowa, Rita Ryan of Albia and Jody Barr (Dale) of Kellogg, Iowa. She also leaves behind a sister, Suealla (Francis) Bowers of Glendale, Ariz., and one brother, George J. Ford of Ottumwa, Iowa. She also is survived by nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant sister, Theresa; and recently her sister, Beverly Cosner, in 2009.
A mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 12, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia with Father William E. Reynolds officiating and Father Mike Volkmer, C.P.P.S, assisting. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 10, in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church sanctuary in Newton from 6 to 8 p.m. with the family present. There also will be visitation on Friday, June 11, open to the public at 9 a.m., and the family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sinnott Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Albia. There will be a Christian wake service at 7 p.m. Friday evening and a rosary service at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Jasper County or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be made at sinnottpierschbacher.com.
Source: Newton Daily News; Thursday, June 10, 2010