Patricia Ann (Love) Ryan, 77, of Beaumont, died Thursday, November 28, 2013, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont following a long and brave struggle with ALS (Lou Gherig’s Disease) She was born on November 10th, 1936, in La Junta, Colorado, to Agnes Hayden Love and Otis W. Love.
Her spirituality was obvious in her love of Christ and in the example she set for others. Her other loves were her family and friends, gardening, rock and shell collecting, tennis, the mountains and the beach. In addition to family and friends, she mentored and counseled many women in Al-Anon. All who met her and knew her came to love her, even if they just met her in the line at the grocery store. She loved tennis and was a competitive player for sixty-one years, only stopping upon the onset of the ALS (Lou Gherig’s) disease.
Pat was valedictorian of her senior class in 1954 at St. Scholastic Academy in Canyon City, Colorado. She was a super sales lady at Roses Roses in Beaumont and managed Love’s Shoe Store in Rocky Ford, Colorado.
Survivors include her husband, Donald J. Ryan; five children, Melody Kagel and her husband, Bill , of Fremont, California; Patrick Handshy of Lake Charles, Louisiana; Monica Durkin and her husband, Don; Michelle Bryant and her husband, Kevin, of Eudora, Kansas; and Michael Handshy and his wife, Tiffany, of Coppell; five step-children, Kathleen McLaurin, of Dallas; Patrick Ryan and his wife, Stacey, of Lake Jackson; Michael Ryan and his wife, Sandy; Tim Ryan and his wife, Beverly; and Sheila Ryan, all of Austin; thirteen grandchildren; twelve step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Houser and her husband, Dan, of Carl Junction, Missouri; Bonnie Seufer and her husband, Tommie, of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Connie Love, and one brother, Michael Love and his wife, Kathy, of Pueblo, Colorado.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Joseph and Jack Love; and one sister, Sylvia Love.
A Christian Vigil for Mrs. Ryan will begin at 5:00 p.m., with a gathering of her family and friends to follow, Sunday, December 1, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her Memorial Mass will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 2, 2013, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont. Her committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Altus Hospice Care and all her wonderful caretakers who made her life more comfortable during a very difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to ALS Association, Development Department, 27001 Agoura Road., Suite 250, Calabasas Hills, California, 91301 or by phone at 1-888-949-2577.
