Julia Ann Green

Julie Ryan Green, 77, passed away February 26, 2023, in Chicago, IL, while under hospice care after a long and valiant struggle with brain cancer. Julie was a beloved mother, an accomplished newspaper journalist and a dedicated volunteer, friend, and confidant to many. She was the matriarch of her family, yet the title she most cherished was “grandma.”

Julie is survived by her children Megan Green and Ryan Green, grandsons Milo and Julian, siblings Jim Ryan, Margo Peck, Barney Ryan, Mary Ryan and Matt Ryan, as well as an extended family of in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom Green, her parents Clair and Julia Ryan, and brothers Tim Ryan and Mark Ryan.

Julie spent her earliest years in the Coachella Valley, where her father and uncle were pioneer ranchers and date growers. Her family moved to Riverside, where she finished high school and attended Riverside City College while working as the TV Log editor at the Riverside Press-Enterprise, her first newspaper job. When launching its journalism program, Pepperdine University recruited Julie with a full scholarship offer. In 1967, she was in Pepperdine’s first class of journalism graduates.

Tom and Julie married in 1968, eventually settling in Los Angeles in 1982 when Tom became a founding member of USA Today as a film writer. Julie continued her journalism career at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, the Los Angeles Daily News, and started her long run at the Los Angeles Times in 1990, first as an assistant features editor for the San Fernando Valley edition, then as features editor. While at the Times, Julie was part of the team that won the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news.

Always available to lend a helping hand, Julie began volunteering at the Guadalupe Community Center’s food pantry in 2009, and in 2018 she received the Volunteer Service Award from Catholic Charities of Los Angeles.

Julie loved movies, theater, and politics,but especially loved gathering with family for holidays, birthdays, weddings or a casual meal, to laugh, reminisce, and simply be together. These were the absolute highlights of her life. Her siblings and children fondly recall her hearty laugh, quick wit, generous spirit and her love of children, especially babies.

A funeral mass will take place at St. Bernardine of Siena Catholic Church in Woodland Hills, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth. In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of Julie can be made to Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., San Fernando Region.

A rosary for Julia will be held Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Gates, Kingsley & Gates Praiswater Mortuary, 6909 Canoga Ave, Canoga Park, CA 91303. A viewing will occur from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, 6909 Canoga Ave, Canoga Park, CA 91303. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Bernardine Catholic Church, 24410 Calvert St., Woodland Hills, CA 91367. An interment will occur Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 11:30 AM at Oakwood Memorial Park, 22601 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gateskingsleygates.com for the Green family.