| Date of Birth | August 27, 1917 |
| Passed Away | January 9, 2015 |
| Place of Residence | Dansville |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | January 24, 2015 |
| Service Time | 11 a.m. |
| Service Location | St. Mary's Church, Dansville |
| Interment Location | Holy Cross Cemetery, Dansville |
JULIA M. RYAN (1917-2015)
DANSVILLE-Julia M. Ryan, a lifelong resident of Dansville, died of natural causes at the age of 97 on Friday, January 9, 2015. She was living at the Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Mt. Morris.
As a child Julia learned to swim at the Bernard McFadden Hotel and Spa near her home in Dansville. She became an expert swimmer. A graduate of Dansville High School, she attended the Geneseo Normal School and received her permanent teaching certificate as a graduate of SUNY Geneseo in 1943. Julia served a long career as an elementary school teacher, starting in a rural school in Lima, N.Y. in 1938; the Lima Central School District from 1940-1945 and the Wayland-Cohocton Central School District where she taught six grade for over 30 years from 1945-1976. She received several honors throughout her teaching career and the gratitude of generations of students for her dedication in guiding them through the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Julia had an avid interest in Dansville’s local history and was particularly knowledgeable about McFadden’s Hotel and its predecessor founded by Dr. James C. Jackson, as well as Jackson’s home called “Brightside.†She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s and St. Mary’s Church in Dansville. In her retirement she enjoyed finding and refinishing fine antiques.
In addition to her parents, Pat and Mae Ryan, Julia was predeceased by her brother, Charles, who died in combat during WW II, and by her aunt, Nell Ryan, with whom she shared her home. Her survivors include many cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends. They remember her warmth and spirit and her sweet and gentle soul.
There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 40 Elizabeth St., Dansville on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11 a.m. Committal prayers and Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Dansville.
Julia loved animals and cared for many pets in her lifetime. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Hornell Area Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, N.Y. 14843.
Funeral arrangements are courtesy of the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, N.Y. 14843, (607) 324-2700.
My mother and Julia were cousins, but as close as most sisters. My sister and I remember many happy days spent at Julia’ home. As children,we would spend our days exploring the “mansion” and return to the house for the delicious meal Julia had prepared. Julia loved Dansville and it’s surrounds and as we got older she would take us visiting her special places in her little bit of heaven. The best part of every day was time spent around the dining table listening to Julia tell stories of family past. It was at those times when we came to realize what an important role Julia played in our family and truly came to know her as the loving, caring person that she was. We love her and will miss her always.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Julia Ryan on February 28, 2015 at 4:00pm at Our Lady of Hope Parish, Buffalo, New York.
We will miss you Julia.
Eileen Donoghue
I was a student of Miss Ryan’s from Cohocton. She had many stories she loved to share with us and hosted the Cohocton Central School band every year after the Dogwood parade. I saw her again a few years ago when I was working in Dansville and was amazed that she still remembered me. She was an amazing teacher, the kind that they just don’t have anymore. May she rest in peace.
Miss Ryan, as I knew her was a wonderful lady and a great teacher. 6th grade Cohocton Central. I think of her often and appreciate that she was in my life.