Jill Rosalind Ryan

Jill passed peacefully in her home in Del Mar, California, after a battle with throat cancer. Born in Leicestershire, England to H. Leslie and Hilda Green, who preceded her in death, she grew up in rural England, during the war years, with her elder sister Sheila (Marshall), younger brother David and many close cousins.

After completing nursing school, Jill married (Geoff) and had two daughters, Vanessa and Philippa. She immigrated to Mariemont, Ohio with her daughters in 1972. She began a nursing career at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, where she made many life-long friendships. Her artistic interests lead her to volunteer as a set painter at the Cincinnati Music Theatre, where she met her second husband, a CMT set designer and professional industrial designer, Tom Ryan. They married in 1980 and then moved to Del Mar, California in 1985. Jill continued her nursing career at the Del Mar Medical Clinic before retiring in the mid-90s.

Jill will be fondly remembered for her magnetic personality, fantastic sense of humor and love of gardening. She was known for her amazing stories that were told and retold, adding more color and humor to each version of the tale. Many friends still share “Jilly Stories” and laugh like it was the first time. Jill was also a dog-lover and enjoyed many laughs with Massa, Patches, Max, Miles and Simon, her beloved dogs over the years. Jill was creative and artistic, making clothes for her children when they were young, sewing curtains and refurbishing furniture to decorate her homes in both Cincinnati and Del Mar. In her later years, she collected succulents and created a beautiful cactus garden where she spent many afternoons enjoying the sunshine and the beauty of her home and surroundings.

Jill is survived by her husband of 35 years, Thomas Ryan; her step-daughter, Suzanne Ryan, her daughter Vanessa Hunter (Brad), her daughter Philippa Wilkes (Patrick), three granddaughters; Tiffany Hunter, Ashley Jeltz and Teagan Wilkes along with many nieces, nephews and life-long friends.

Services will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, May 12th at El Camino Memorial – Sorrento Valley Chapel, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, 92121.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to Helen Woodward Animal Center – Attn: Kelly, P.O. Box 64, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. Please put JILL RYAN MEMORIAL in the subject line.