Kathleen “Kathy” Ryan, 77 of Lakewood, California, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, peacefully at her home. On Friday, January 30, Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 5 p.m. at Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo. Visitation will follow, concluding at 7 p.m. with a Nursing Honor Guard Ceremony. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Saturday, January 31, at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Aledo. Burial will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery, Viola. Caring for cats was important to Kathy, therefore, memorials may be directed to FurEver Friends for Mercer County. Online condolences may be left at www.fippingerfuneralhome.com.
Kathleen Ann was born July 13, 1948, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Francis James and Mary Geraldine Rowley Ryan. She graduated from Aledo (Illinois) High School before gaining her nursing degrees from St. Francis School of Nursing and St. Francis School of Anesthesiology in Peoria, Illinois. Kathy began her nursing career at Mercer County Hospital in Aledo as a Registered Nurse. After moving to California, she spent most of her years at Long Beach Community Hospital as a Nurse Anesthetist. Kathy’s passion was cats…over the years, she raised many kitties and enjoyed taking care of feral kitties as well.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sisters-in-law, Paula Ryan and Patricia Ryan; several nieces and nephews; as well as many caregivers, friends, and neighbors in California.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Ellen Volentine; and brothers, Jim Ryan and Marty Ryan.