Rita Ann Ryan

Obituary for
Rita Ann Ryan

Rita Ann Ryan, age 55 of Newton, formerly of Albia died on, Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at the Careage Nursing Home in Newton. She was born on September 24, 1960 in Ottumwa to Virginia and Joseph (Ford) Ryan. Rita attended school at Glenwood State School in Glenwood, Iowa. She called many places home, but her true home was always in Albia. While living in Albia she worked at Ragtime Industries and later enjoyed her days at Monroe County Dayhab. She had also lived in Pella and worked at the Christian Opportunity Center, and lived in Oskaloosa at the Mahaska Diamond Shelter and she was excited to work at Hardee's making biscuits. The past few years she resided in Newton. Rita loved life and had a gift for making people smile. She loved to dance and sing especially to songs by Donny and Marie Osmond. She loved cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa Cubs. Rita was an avid sports fan attending her siblings and nieces and nephew's games. She herself won many medals and trophies while participating in Special Olympics Track, Bowling and Swimming. In 1974 she even participated in the International Special Olympics in New York. Rita loved her family and friends. She touched many lives and was touched by the love of so many caretakers. She inspired us to live life to the fullest, to laugh often and to love unconditionally. Rita's family learned more about life from Rita then they could have ever taught her. She was truly an Angel Among Us!She is survived by her siblings, Pat (Marcia) Ryan, Dan (Sharon) Ryan, Jody (Dale) Barr, nieces and nephews, Ashley and Molley Ryan, Alyssa, Courtney and Kamryn Ryan, Michael, Anna, Ryan, and Abbie Barr. She is also survived by two aunts; Pauline Ryan of Moravia, Suella Bowers of Glendale, Az, special uncle, George Ford of Ottumwa, and many special relatives and friends, especially her Benton Avenue neighbors. She is preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Joseph Ryan, maternal grandparents, George and Flola Ford, and paternal grandparents, Leo and Anna Ryan. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 10:30 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia with Father Mike Volkmer C.PP.S officiating. Rita's body will be cremated following services and a family burial will be held at a later date in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose. A luncheon will be served following the funeral mass at Sinnott Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Friday from 1-5 pm and family will be present from 1-4 pm at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia. Memorials may be directed to Special Olympics of Iowa. Online condolences may be left for the family at sinnottfuneralhome.com..