Catherine A. Ryan

If you’ve ever read a book from the East Lansing Public Library with a small red dot in the inside cover, you were lucky enough to have shared a book with Catherine “Kay” Ryan. A voracious reader, Kay put a small red dot in the cover of every book she read so as not to inadvertently check out the same book twice. Her favorite book was her next one. She approached most of her 93 years with the same inquisitive energy, finally departing this life on July 2, 2022 having left her mark on much more than her library books.

Born in Ft Thomas, Kentucky, the 5th of 6 children, and although she later moved to Cincinnati (which was really just Northern Kentucky) and then eventually to East Lansing, Michigan, Kay’s heart always beat Kentucky blue for the “best state there is!”

Her heart also beat for her family and her faith, both of which Kay loved powerfully and unconditionally. She worked hard and held many positions over the years, including as a comptometer at the telephone company, in the business office at Goff’s Grocery, and in retail at Jacobson’s. But her greatest roles were those of mother, grandmother, and GG (great-grandma) and she cherished this role more than anything. These were not honorific titles for Kay; they were a promise to walk each step of the journey with those she loved most. Kay was a constant presence in the lives of her family, always prioritizing spending time together, finding ways to engage in what mattered most to them. She spent hours chatting over coffee with her teenage granddaughter, taking naps and making her special eggs when any granddaughter was sick, scheduling appointments to have her hair done with another, getting down on the floor to play, attending soccer championships on sweltering days, and giving lessons in Thanksgiving turkey preparation on an international call. She never hesitated to jump into whatever game was being played or what fun was being had, from cards to tossing the ball for batting practice, and teaching her grandchildren Rummikub and 1,2,3, O’Leary. Even though she didn’t know how to swim, she would stand in the shallow end of the pool while the grandkids splashed and dove in the deep end.

Her willingness to play was equally matched by her commitment to a clean house and being perfectly dressed for every occasion. Her home was immaculate even when it was difficult for her to get around. Kay was a lady in every sense of the word. The life lessons she taught were simple but sincere. Some were practical (how to calculate a 20% tip; how to use a fork and knife; look nice when you go out in public, you never know who you’re going to see; always be able to support yourself). Others were rooted in thoughtfulness (never leave a dressing room messy; be kind to everyone, you never know what they are going through; pay it forward if you have the means to do so). Many were meaningful (there are lots of ways to tell someone you love them; love is the most powerful gift you can give; you can accomplish whatever you work hard to achieve) and some were just fun (eat dessert first if you want to!). All were memorable and delivered with the sassy class for which Kay was known.

Many of the lessons she shared with her family were hard-earned in her own life. She faced adversity with her characteristic gumption, from nurturing three daughters some years as a single mother to clinging to her independence even in her later years. One of her proudest accomplishments was learning to drive at the age of 50. Once empowered with a set of wheels driven under her own power, she made the most of her newfound freedom, giving rides to anyone who needed one and visiting friends old and new. Even the closing of the only local gas station that would pump your gas couldn’t slow her down as she embraced learning another new skill later in life.

She cast her net of friendship wide, making everyone around her feel like family. She bought birthday cards for the mailman, visited the man in the pet department in Meijer even though she didn’t have a pet, and would visit workers on her errand route just because she could. Kay loved people. She wanted to know everything about them and because she cared so deeply and judged so little, people loved talking to her too. Although she had opinions and always spoke her mind, she was also always aware of her audience and what they needed to hear. Her phone was her lifeline; chatting happily for hours with friends and family near and far.

In 1987, Jim Ryan, her knight in shining armor came along and swept her off her feet. Even though Jim passed away three years later, he is undoubtedly the love that stayed with her. With him, she experienced life as she never had before, laughing her deep belly laugh more, traveling, and experiencing genuine happiness.

Throughout her life, Kay relied firmly and consistently on her faith. She would attend 6:30 Mass and pray the rosary every day. She made it to every Mass that she could, volunteered at every church function, and even made sure to sing her heart out during each Mass. She never missed a Sunday in her same pew, Sunday after Sunday, year after year, until her later years, when she would follow Mass on TV, which she wittingly referred to as “St. Catherine’s Mass.” For over 20 years, she spent hours every Monday cleaning the church pews, straightening the hymnals, and taking care of the votive candles. She always wanted to make sure God was present in the lives of her family. She made sure she was present at baptisms, first communions, confirmations, and marriages, always prioritizing God’s presence, even resorting to baptisms in the kitchen sink the day after great-grandchildren came home from the hospital. She made sure to be there not just at beginnings, but also at endings, volunteering for funeral luncheons for many years.

Kay was the glue that joined the family together, often over a delicious meal of Company Chicken. She readily admitted that “her five main food groups were cake, candy, cookies, pie, and ice cream” and no one could say no to her seven-layer bars. She was the one who made sure to never forget a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or just a favorite day. Her warm, genuine, loving heart will always be missed. In her honor, her family will do their best to live in ways that would make her proud of the people she brought them up to be.

She will be remembered and loved by her daughters Linda (Bill) Wesley, Terri (Gary) Climes, and Joan Strahan; grandchildren Megan (Matt) Brickner, Lauren (Nate Mackovjak) Wesley, Heather (Greg) Paquette, Rachel (Mark Hampton) Ryan, Alison (Dave Austin) Climes, and Caitlin (Spencer Wild) Climes; great-grandchildren Emmett Brickner, and Anna Brickner; Lucas Paquette and Conrad Paquette and many extended family and friends whose relationships she cherished.

Now that she has finally received her well-earned reward in heaven, if she could pick up her much-loved phone for one of the chats she so enjoyed, she would probably say, “I’ve lived through a lot, but oh man, this takes the cake.” She joins her family who has gone before her: parents Arthur Clement Menne and Marie J. Hunger; brothers Art (Posie) Menne, Ed (Ginny) Menne, Paul (Mary) Menne, Clem (Marilyn) Menne; sister Marie (Bill) Adrian: and husband James Ryan.

Kay’s family will receive guests on Sunday, July 31 from 4pm – 8pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, MI and one hour prior at the church. A rosary will be prayed at 7:30pm. Her life will be celebrated at a Memorial Mass on Monday, August 1 at 11am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 955 Alton Road, East Lansing, MI. Per her request, please wear a bright color to the service, in lieu of the traditional black attire. Those desiring may make contributions to St. Thomas Aquinas Flower Fund, 955 Alton Road, East Lansing, MI, 48823 or Boys Town, 14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE, 68010. Online condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com