Virginia Ryan Obituary

Virginia Rose Ryan, September 15, 1925 - April 2, 2025 Virginia Rose (Gosztyla) Ryan, 99, passed away on April 2 in the peaceful care of Liza's Place.
Born on September 15, 1925, Virginia was a lifelong resident of Wheeling, having graduated from Triadelphia High School in 1943. In addition to being a mother, nana, great nana/super- nana and the "Central cookie lady," she had previously worked in the lab at J.L. Stifel before marrying Charles Ryan and leaving the workforce to raise her seven children.
She returned to work later in life at the Wheeling Central Catholic High School cafeteria where "Mrs. Ryan" was most well-known for baking hundreds of dozens of "Central (chocolate chip) cookies" and serving students and staff with a smile. During her 28-year career working, and later managing, the cafeteria she embraced every Central student as one of her own, and was known to often slip them an extra cookie or slice of pizza. She relished receiving signed school pictures from many students who loved her like their own grandma.
Proud of her Catholic faith, her Polish heritage and her "adopted" Irish culture, she was an avid gardener who enjoyed harvesting homegrown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, herbs and even unexpected "volunteer" pumpkins and squash some seasons. When she wasn't tending to her garden, she was meticulously pulling weeds or caring for various flowering plants in her yard and in pots throughout the house.
Virginia single-handedly kept the greeting card business alive throughout her 99 years as an enthusiastic sender of the perfect sentiment no matter what the occasion. She was known to sometimes send thank you cards to those who sent her birthday or holiday greetings, and she kept nearly every card she ever received. Her holiday dinner parties in the 1970s were unmatched with abundant amounts of homemade food and desserts for dozens of family members and friends, including annual Thanksgiving pies of multiple varieties so that everyone could have their favorite. Her cabbage roll and sauerkraut recipes remain inimitable still today. A lifelong sports fan with definite "favorites", she became a devout Drew Brees supporter after meeting him at the Big Ten Conference football media day in Chicago in 2000. She cheered loudly for all Pittsburgh professional teams, especially the Pirates, the West Virginia University football and basketball programs and various professional golfers (especially her fellow left- handed ones). She was a proud Central Maroon Knight fan.
Virginia cherished many friendships throughout her nine decades, including those on her bowling league "Tigers" team in the 1960s through the 80s; Central and Cathedral Grade School teachers, administrators, priests and nuns and her breakfast buddies from Valley View.
She will be greatly missed by her surviving six children and their spouses: David (Susan née Rex) Ryan of Las Vegas; Janet (Theodore) Bazdorf of Alpine, California; Richard (Lori) Ryan of South Charleston, W.Va.; Kathy (Mickey) McNeil of Wheeling; Terence (Cynthia) Ryan of Morgantown, W.Va., and Susan Ryan of Wheeling along with 10 grandchildren, five great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Gosztyla; husband, Charles; longtime partner, Ed Rzepka; six brothers and sisters; her first born grandson Eric T. Helmantoler of San Diego, California, and beloved son Michael Ryan of Clearwater, Florida.
Visitation will be held at Altmeyer Funeral in Elm Grove on Friday, April 11, from 4-7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. The family requests memorial contributions be made in her name to Wheeling Central Catholic High School by visiting www.TMCFunding.com. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.AltmeyerFuneralHomes.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virginia Rose Ryan, please visit our floral store.To make a memorial donation, please visit the donations section of this obituary.