Barbara Ann (Kane) Ryan, 84, of Atlanta, GA passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family on Saturday, January 30, 2021. Born in Buffalo, New York on September 16, 1936, Barbara was six years old when her family moved to Atlanta in 1942. She attended Christ the King School, and graduated in the class of 1954. She then attended the University of Georgia, where she met her future husband, Robert J. Ryan. They were wed on November 16, 1957 at Cathedral of Christ the King. In the early years of their marriage, Barbara and Bob lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Orlando, Florida, Columbia, South Carolina and Cincinnati, Ohio, raising their family and growing their friendship community everywhere they lived. Barbara always wished to return to Atlanta, which they did in 1976, joining Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
After raising her children, Barbara went to work first at a doctor’s office, and then was the long-time receptionist at Frazier & Deeter. She enjoyed and cherished the friendships she made over the years with her colleagues and their clients. After retirement, Barbara and Bob moved into the Piedmont in Buckhead and joined Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Barbara’s calling in life was to be a mother and grandmother, raising six children and spoiling fifteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She always had a place in her home and at her dinner table for all of her children’s friends and countless other kids in the neighborhood. She was smart, strong, determined and made friends everywhere she went. She loved with her whole heart and will be greatly missed.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Robert J. Ryan, her brother Michael Kane (Lynda) of Minneapolis, MN, her children, Robert J. Ryan, Jr. (Jennifer) of Eatonton, GA, Timothy M. Ryan (Stephanie) of Covington, GA, Nancy E. Rafuse of Atlanta, GA, Patricia L. Urban (Joseph) of San Carlos, CA, Thomas R. Ryan (Tammi) of Marietta, GA and William C. Ryan of Roswell, GA. She is also survived by her fi fteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren: Jacqueline L. Kocken (Andrew), Robert J. Ryan, III, Katherine J. Massey (Peter), James H. Ryan, Kristen T. Rafuse, Ryan K. Rafuse, Holley G. Moore (Trevor), J. Porter Ryan, Emily A. Ryan, Sara L. Ryan, Charles T. Ryan, Morgan S. Ryan, William C. Ryan, Jr., Grace E. Urban, Julie A. Urban and Hampton and Harper Kocken and Peter Massey, Jr.. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph & Grace Kane, her sister, Grace Kane, her brother Joseph Kane, Jr., and her son-in-law Mark Rafuse.
Visitation will be Tuesday, February 2, 2021 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at H.M. Patterson and Son—Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd. NE, Sandy Springs. A family mass for Barbara will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 2:00 pm and it may be viewed virtually at https://vimeo.com/507186346. Graveside services for family and friends will follow at 3:30 pm at Arlington Memorial Park and it may be viewed virtually at https://vimeo.com/507186984. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
