Kathleen Ryan (Gehweiler) was born in 1948, a daughter of John J. Ryan and Dolores Moynahan Ryan from Rumson.
Known to her friends as Kathy or “Chatty Kathy,” she was a true friend, a wonderful sister, daughter, aunt, mother and grandmother. It’s hard to think of a time when Kathy wasn’t making someone laugh or using her unique skill of connecting people. If she met you, you were a friend. Soon you would notice the magic she had for including everyone. Putting people at ease and freeing them of any awkward feelings was a gift Kathy gave freely. As many said, “She was full of fun energy and could light up a room.” She made every event a party!
Kathy was predeceased by her brother Bernard Francis Ryan. She is survived by her daughter Gretchen Gehweiler Bierenbaum and husband Jason and her three beloved grandchildren, Bettis, Layne and Harris, of Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania; her son Russell Gehweiler Jr. of Jupiter, Florida; brother John J. Ryan and wife Victoria, of Rogers, Arkansas; her sister Dolores (Dee Dee) Ryan Kerner and husband Dan of Southborough, Massachusetts; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Kathleen was a longtime resident of Rumson, where she attended Holy Cross School and Rumson Fair-Haven Regional High School. She then went on to Mount Aloysius College and Rutgers University. She began a very long and rewarding career at Bell Labs, starting in the mail room and working her way up to project manager on several award-winning projects. Her career continued past her retirement as she was able to use her experience to consult on similar projects with some of the largest companies in the New Jersey/New York City area.
We will miss the smiles, laughter and chatty times with Kathy, but she will always remain with us in our hearts, especially when we hear the theme song to “A Summer Place” or any music played by Tim McCloone.
A Mass and celebration of life will be held this summer, date to be announced at a later time.
The article originally appeared in the January 19 – 25, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
