Catherine Marie (Kripps) Ryan, 80 years young, of Bolivar, NY, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020, at F.F. Thompson Hospital, Canandaigua, NY, with her two daughters by her side, following a brief battle with Covid-19.
Born on July 27, 1940, in Bronx, NY, she was the third of four daughters of Charles A and Catherine M (Meier) Kripps.
Catherine caught David Ryan's eye while he was working as a bowling pin setter in NYC as a teenager. They married on July 21, 1962, at St. Luke’s Church in Bronx, NY, and lived in Little Ferry, NJ. Cathy was employed as a Supervisor by Metropolitan Insurance Co. in New York City, where she met co-worker and lifelong friend Adrienne Parker of NJ.
Despite moving to Bolivar with her husband and two daughters just days prior to the flood of 1972, all these years later Cathy never lost that NYC accent people came to know. With determination and hard work, Dave and Cathy established General Roofing & Heating Co., Inc., in Wellsville, NY, and were joined by Richard and Delores Ryan. The four also purchased, repaired, and improved several rental properties in Bolivar and Cuba, NY.
Cathy cherished many fulfilling days with numerous friends who blessed her with their friendships and kept her days fulfilled with great food, conversation, and laughter. She was also an active member of St. Mary’s Church in Bolivar.
Catherine was a loving mother and grandmother with the perfect balance of compassion and advice for her surviving two Daughters Catherine (Reginald) Faulkner of Wellsville, NY, Constance (Timothy) Stives of Williamsville, NY, and four Grandsons, Matthew Stives of Amherst, NY, Regis Faulkner of Wellsville, NY, Devin Stives of Charlotte, NC, and Jacob Stives of Williamsville, NY. Also surviving are her sister Joan (Thomas) Dean of Brentwood, NY, a Brother-in-Law John (Tony) D’Ariano of FL and two Sisters-in-law, Patricia (James) Murphy of NJ, and Kathie D’Ariano of Wellsville, NY, many treasured nieces and nephews, and numerous friends near and far. She was preceded in death by her generous and loving husband, Dave, on October 3, 1992, and two sisters, Elizabeth (Frank) Dudley and Ellen (John) Gortakowski.
A Private Catholic burial was held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bolivar, on 1/6/21. A Catholic Mass and a Celebration of Life will take place this summer, so that all can celebrate her life in the way she lived it. Those who knew her, knew that Cathy loved pasta, so her Celebration of Life will include an assortment of pasta (at her request) to be enjoyed by all her friends, family, and the many community members who came to know her.
Honor Cathy by supporting either Home of My Own of WNY, 18 Monta Vista Ct., East Amherst, NY 14051 or St. Mary’s Church, 17 Maple Ave, Wellsville NY 14895.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schaffner Funeral Home Inc. Bolivar.
