Donna Louise (Lisi) Ryan peacefully transitioned on July 31, 2024 into her profound spiritual
reunion with Jesus. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Dorothy Ann, and husband,
Edward Walter. Donna is survived by her brother Joe (Georgia), children Richard (Jo Ellen),
John (Beverly), Daniel, and Joseph (Karen). Also leaving behind grandchildren she poured
her unwavering love into: Melinda (Tony), Adam (Melissa), Edward, Holly, Gerald, Donna
Jean (Montana), Marical, Amanda, Graham, Devon, and Madison. Additionally, Donna’s
legacy is carried on to her great-grandchildren, Trista, Alivia, Lila, Conner, Jaxon, AnaBella,
MJ, Adam, Levi, Nick, and Maci, in addition to nieces, nephew, and also extended family and
friends.
Being the Matriarch of a passionately boisterous Italian family, Donna has led our family with
firmness, fairness, love, and unity. There isn’t a single member of her family that doesn’t have
a story of “that one time at grandmas when...” with the same depiction of a time that once
was. Family gathered on the porch, the air filled with music from Donna singing, accompanied
by her array of wind chimes. Cousins lingering around the fountains sneaking a splash
contest. The most amazing smell of garlic, and pasta, lofting through every room gathering
everyone to the table with a prayer that always ended in, “good food, good meat, good God,
let’s eat” from grandpa with grandma shaking her head and chuckles all around. Dinner
transitioning into a card game, that inevitably transitioned into a “passionate discussion”
between siblings. Behind the scenes facilitating a home in complete unison there was Donna,
beaming with pride, with her poodle Riley by her side, catching any food scraps that fell.
Donna purposely made each connection with her loved ones so special and unique. She was
a good shepherd whose unconditional love stretched far and wide sweeping in a togetherness
of family that is bonded with her as our favorite common ground.
This is evident stepping into this next phase without her. No matter the distance, or
uncertainties, her family has gathered once more for a “that one time with grandma”. Even
still, we are confident Donna is behind the scenes strengthening bonds, accompanied by
passion, music, laughter, and good food. Everything Donna was and in everything she did,
her goal was make sure her family loves one another just as she loved us.
We rejoice in knowing she is in eternal peace with the profound reunions and will carry on her
family legacy with us forever.
Thursday, August 8, 2024
10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)
St. Susanna Catholic Church
Thursday, August 8, 2024
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
St. Susanna Catholic Church
Thursday, August 8, 2024
1:30 - 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
Rose Hill Cemetery
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