Regina M. Ryan

On January 24, 2022, Regina (Gina) M. Ryan transitioned from her earthly life to join the host of family and friends that had earned their wings before. Gina lived a life of integrity with grace and love.

Remembered as a brilliant, dedicated woman, Gina was a student of life, relishing her daily read of the New York Times editorials, her walks through the Metropolitan Museum, any museum, attending plays, concerts, lectures, art festivals and time spent with friends and family. She always considered herself a “Jersey Girl” having been born in Newark and lived in Emerson and Westwood, NJ through her formative years. She attended Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Twp. and LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY. She graduated with a degree in political science and a burning commitment to make a difference in the world around her. That commitment lead her to Jamaica to work with farmers after her junior year at LeMoyne. Then to Oakland, California upon graduation as a community organizer, both through the Jesuit Volunteer Corp. There she met Mary Dolan, who became a lifelong friend and together a force to be reckoned with in the community organizing arena. Mary saw immediately in Gina, what St. Louis, MO and SLACO was soon to find out and be the better because of it. Together they focused their talent, business savvy and power of persuasion on the mission to develop affordable, safe, high quality housing. Gina is credited with brokering deals that brought millions of federal dollars and built partnerships with contractors to form the non-profit organization, Affordable City Homes that can proudly boost the development of over 100 homes in the Gate district and multiple apartments in the north end Hamilton neighborhood. A highlight of her years at SLACO were the Annual Neighborhood Conferences.

Regina recognized she was born into a life of privilege. Grateful to her parents, mother, Regina (Jean) M. Ryan, who survives Gina and father, Thomas H. Ryan Sr. who pre-deceased Gina, for the opportunities and support provided. As the oldest of four, Gina always felt a deep commitment to her siblings and their families’ well-being. She is survived by her sisters, Maureen Estes Flanagan (George Flanagan) Swansea, MA, Mary Ann Ryan, Hopewell, NJ and brother Thomas H. Ryan, Jr. ( Karen Calcagno Hodshon) Warwick, NJ; nieces, Mackenzie, Meghan (Patrick Modafferi), Christina, and Katie Rose (Aaron Grillo); nephews, Ryan, Andrew (Jill Grandmaison), Patrick; aunts, Biddy Huruska and Eleanor Ryan; one uncle, Leo Ryan as well as many cousins, great nieces and nephew.

Gina’s Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 10:30 AM in St. Anthony of Padau, East Windsor, NJ with a memorial gathering immediately following. Please contact the family at [email protected] with any questions regarding the service and/or if you have stories about Gina or photos. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Missouri Botanical Garden or the MS Society, https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate