Lydia Ryan

Lydia Ryan

Resident of Hollister

Aged 93 years, passed away peacefully at home on October 19, 2010. She was born December 10, 1916, in Culbertson, Nebraska to August and Marie Barbara (Walter) Sinner, the 5th of 8 children. As an infant she was not expected to survive. As she was being pronounced stillborn the doctor saw a slight movement, picked her up and she started to cry. In 1930 the family moved from Culbertson to Fresno, CA, where she graduated from Roosevelt High School. She married Thomas E. Ryan on November 6, 1937 and lived in San Martin, CA for many years. She drove school bus for San Martin School for several years then worked at the San Martin Post Office about 20 years until retiring in 1980. After retiring she and Tom moved to Port Orford, Oregon where they built a home and lived for 10 years before moving back to Hollister. In retirement she enjoyed traveling, square dancing and quilting. She loved working in her garden.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her parents, brother August M. Sinner, sister Marie B. Sinner and grandson Robert Shelton.

She is survived by her son Kenneth Ryan (Mary Ann) of Hollister, daughters Karen Kelly (Dan) of El Dorado Hills, CA and Linda Harrell of Rogers, AR. Grand children Todd Shelton (Sharon) of Hollister, Lana Dougherty (Kent) of El Dorado Hills, CA, Jonthomas Harrell (Shannon) of Bentonville, AR and Sean Harrell of Manassas, VA. She is also survived by brothers John Henry Sinner and Fred Sinner, both of Fresno, Harold Sinner of Arroyo Grande, CA, sisters Ruth Koehler and Caroline Preis of Fresno, sister-in-law Rita Auser of Orland, CA, 10 great grand children, her friend Vernon Escobar and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to especially thank Irma Rodriquez and Martha Sanchez, the wonderful caregivers that made her comfortable these last months.

A memorial service will be held at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito Street, Hollister, CA at 10:00 a.m. on October 30, 2010 to which friends are invited.

The family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Central Coast, 2 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Monterey, CA 93940 or a charity of your choice. Visit: www.grunnagle.com for condolences.