LaVonne B. Ryan

Ryan, LaVonne B. SLINGERLANDS LaVonne "Vonnie" B. Ryan, 77, of Thorndale Road, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at St. Peter's Hospice Inn in Albany. Born and educated in Southampton, Long Island, she was the daughter of the late Leo M. and Gwen Smith Blinder-man. Vonnie graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 1954 and earned her MA from the College of St. Rose in 1963. She went on to work for the school districts of Albany, Buffalo, Bethlehem, South Colonie Central as well as the Stratton VA Medical Center and the University at Albany. She also served on the board of directors of the former YWCA, and she and her special friend, Roddie Dobris Kaplan, co-founded the first speech and language program in the city of Albany. Vonnie is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Dr. Paul Ryan D.D.S.; her two daughters, Kathleen Goodwin and her husband Bill of Rockville, Md. and Laura Ryan of Manhattan; her sister, Jean Hildreth and her brother, Bob Blinderman, both of Fort Collins, Colo.; her two grandchildren, Matthew William Goodwin and Dana Nicole Goodwin, both of Rockville; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her two sons, Richard Paul Ryan and Scott Paul Ryan. Funeral services will be Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rte. 32), Waterford. Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Relatives and friends may call at the family residence 49 Thorndale Rd. in Slingerlands, Friday from 4-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to WAMC National Public Radio in care of the funeral home office.