Geneva May Ryan was born May 13, 1921 and passed away September 7, 2016 at the age of 95. Genny died peacefully at her home in Laguna Woods, CA in the company of her niece, Judith Upton. Formerly a resident of the San Francisco Bay area, she moved to Laguna Woods in 1998 after the deaths of her husband, Chester Edward Ryan, Jr. and her son, Kenneth Ross Ryan.

Genny was born in Switz City, Indiana, to parents John and Lillian Groomer Hancock. She was the youngest and the last of four siblings: Mervin, Leone, Juanita and Geneva.

Genny was an accomplished artist and painted in oils and acrylics throughout her life. Her subject matter was wide-ranging, from portraits to still life, paintings inspired by books and other artists, and wonderful landscapes—many of them of the Indiana countryside and farms in all the seasons of the year. She was a devoted and tireless member and volunteer in the Laguna Woods Art Association. She helped organize art exhibits and hang paintings even after she had only her beloved golf cart as transportation. In 2007 she was honored by the Laguna Woods Art Association with the Outstanding Service Award.

Genny also loved music and she loved to sing. She was a long-time member of the Laguna Woods choral group, The Harmonaires. The group met and practiced regularly and enjoyed meals and social time together and Genny treasured her friendships with the many people she met there. They performed for holidays and special occasions at retirement communities, assisted living facilities and private parties. She took great pride in the beautiful robes they wore for their concerts, particularly at Christmas.

Although she lived in California all her adult life, Indiana was always close to her heart. She told wonderful stories of growing up on the farm and in the small town of Switz City where she and her mother delivered newspapers. She talked of shucking the corn (the job given to the youngest) and she talked of what they ate, how they cooked, of good times and hard times. She made that bygone Midwestern world of the 1930s and 40s come alive, in her words and in her eyes.

Genny's ashes will be taken to Chapel of the Chimes in northern California where they will be placed with those of her husband, Eddie and her son, Kenny.

If you wish to remember Genny with a donation, www.theheartway.org , an organization embracing life, honoring death was significant to her.

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