Today we received this very sad note from Pamela Gordon Ryan...
We lost my sister in law this past week Kathleen Ryan Class of 1974.
Kathleen Ruth Ryan passed away peacefully on July 23, 2024, in San Diego with her family by her side after a lengthy battle with Glioblastoma.
Kathleen was born on August 15, 1956, in Burbank, California, to Eddie and Maurine Ryan. Growing up in Burbank, she attended Washington Elementary, John Muir Junior High, and Burbank High School, graduating in 1974. Thereafter, she graduated from California State University, Northridge.
Following college, Kathleen joined the Los Angeles Police Department. Rising through the ranks, Kathleen worked as a Detective and as a patrol Sergeant where she was respected and admired by all who served alongside her. She was awarded the Police Star for her role in courageously putting her own life on the line to save another person. After a 35-year career in law enforcement, Kathleen retired in 2020.
Kathleen met her husband Andy Ryan, and they were married in 1988. Six beautiful children followed. There was nothing more important to Kathleen and Andy than their family. After Andy’s passing in 2009, Kathleen continued to raise her six children, nurturing, and developing them into the wonderful people that they are today.
Kathleen’s generosity with her family was unmatched. She loved the holidays and was the ultimate gift giver, often traveling across Southern California with her mother, Maurine, to find that special present for her kids, nephews, and great-nephews. Kathleen was extremely competitive and witty. She loved to play games (bingo was a family favorite). There were countless family dinners and holidays at her parent’s house (Eddie and Maurine). Mischievous as ever, family gatherings often descended into water fights if Kathleen found a squirt gun or a hose.
Kathleen had the biggest heart. Through her public service and her dedication to her family, she had a profound effect on innumerable lives and will be dearly missed. She is survived by her children, Cory, Ricky, Dani, Kelly, Heather, Lauren, her brother Mike (Pamela), nephews, Kyle (Stephanie, Sammy, and Leo), and Casey, her aunt Ruth Childress, cousins, Gary Childress (Caralee, Jay, and Jake) and Rick Childress (Susan and Katy Sue), and many friends. Her husband, Andy Ryan, and her parents Eddie and Maurine preceded her in death.
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A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...
Dan Davis
RIP Bulldog
Anthy Hellmers
She was a wonderful person at Muir and BHS.
Danny Rutherford
WOW, this hurts. She was a great human being. RIP Kathleen
Cheryl 'Smith' Herzog
Such sad news to hear. She was a sweetheart. My condolences to her family
Nadine Aguirre Lujan
Rest in peace.
Janice Stinson BeimfordTop contributor
I was her friend. This makes me very very sad. We were going to get together when she got better!
Bob Hart
 Heartfelt condolences
Sallie Shelton Thomas
I’m so sorry to hear this. I got to know Kathy and Andy (and Maureen) when their five youngest children attended Burbank Methodist Preschool School when I was the director. They were a wonderful family. My condolences to Cory, Ricky, Cory, Danielle, Heather and Lauren.
Waneen Cormier Post-Marks
So sorry to hear the news of her passing. RiP Kathleen.
Renee King
I’m so sorry such sad news!
Tom Moriarty
I remember her at BHS, so sad to read this.
Vicki Herrin Fields
Rest in Peace ⚘️
Cecilia Olga Aguirre Sheehan
RIP fellow Bulldog.
Rezinka Ayala
Rest in peace. 🕊️
Martin Lillibridge
RIP Bulldog 🙏
Patricia Espinoza
RIP
Shawn Stevens
I remember her. I was 2 years behind but she still made an impression. My prayers go to her family.
Mike Signorelli
RIP🙏🙏🙏
Nancy Olsen BarryTop contributor
I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for Kathy’s beautiful family 🙏🙏💔
George Kieffer
RIP and thank you for your service.
Chris Stanton
I remember her from Muir, and BHS such a sweet girl. RIP🌹🌹
Nainsi Skiba
Rest in peace.
Jonny Reese ·
RIP 🪦
Wayne BaldaroTop contributor
Condolences 💐
Renee J Hope
RIP
Margie Taylor
Pamela Gordon Ryan
Kathy Fay Rush
This is so sad! We met when our sons were in “mommy and me”, she was so kind. God bless her family and may she rest in peace. 🙏🏻💛
Betsey Nash
A life well lived & lots of folks to carry on. Good on her!
Marvin Stewart Steinberg
So sweet and kind ! RIP
Debbie Burpee Wilander
My condolences to all her loved her! 🙏
Donna Rowe
RIP Bulldog 💙
Debbie Cooper Billiot
I too remember her - I was grad ‘75. Lots of 🙏🙏🙏 for her family
Krenn Scott
God rest her soul and bless her for her service.❤️
Deanna Jennings
Such sad news. I had Ricky in preschool and got to know their wonderful family. Prayers and love to the family. 🥰
Lisa Villasenor-Foerstel
My condolences to her family and friends. She was a couple of years ahead of me
We went to the same schools She was always so nice. I also remember Mrs. Ryan , lovely woman always on the go, always smiling and waving. All part of my beautiful memories of Burbank . .So sorry for your loss.
Mickey DePalo
Rest In Peace. 🙏🙏
Mary Joan Swartzbaugh
🙏🙏🙏
Stella Hoefflin
Very sad!!!
Theresa Terry Ballesteros-Thomason
RIP Bulldog
Bernard Brady
Sympathies to the family.
Julian Almaraz
Very sad day. I worked with her at LAPD, outsanding officer and supervisor. She was a very tough lady and held her own against bad people. She had the biggest heart. Always helping others, she had alot of brothers and sisters, who loved her. She will be missed, may She RIP. Prayers to the family and friends.
Sherryl Lee
So very sad but she’s with Andy, the love of her life.
Jillian McDonald Kelly
RIP Kathleen. I will always remember you. ❤️🙏🏻
Kim Cox Yadon
Sad news to hear. We were friends at Washington Elementary school. She was a sweetheart. May good memories be a comfort to her family ❤️
Virginia Hamilton
Rip.😇🙏
I met Kathy in 6th grade at George Washington Elementary school. Stating 6th grade as a new kid was hard but I met Kathy and she was so kind and welcoming to me. It sounds like she had a wonderful family and an amazing career. Rest in peace Kathy.
ReplyDeleteMay she rest in peace. She was lovely to know. Both at John Muir and BHS.
ReplyDeleteKathleen is remembered as a sweet girl. From the comments, she had the strength of a lion. She will forever be remembered as a friend, devoted mother and wife, and someone who literally put her life on the line for others. She will truly be missed by all.
ReplyDelete