Obituary of Helen Jane Ryan

Helen Jane Ryan A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel for Helen Jane Ryan 84, of Gridley. She was born on June 15, 1931 in Lead, South Dakota to Claud and Mary Voorhees and later was a graduate of East Bakersfield High School. She went on to be a supervising technician with NuLaid eggs in Modesto and the Bay Area. Helen was a longtime resident of Gridley having owned and operated Gridley Florist Shop. She later worked at Flowers by Nikki also in Gridley. She along with her husband Charles were independent news distributers for many years and was a long time member of a local Business Women's association. She enjoyed showing dogs, crafts, and reading. Helen was best known for her quick, bubbly witted personality and genuine love of all people. If you knew Helen, you knew you were loved dearly, and couldn’t help but to love her back. Helen was preceded in death by her parents and one son Michael Clifton. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years Charles W. Ryan, an internationally published novelist of Gridley, California; one daughter, Cheryl Din, of Magalia, California; four grandchildren: Charles Laster, of Gridley, California, Frank Nanez, of Chico, California, Lori Din, of Gridley, California, Carrie Clifton, of San Jose, California; three great-grandchildren: Courtney Laster, of Yuba City, California, Natalie Clifton, of West Sacramento, California and Ryan Laster of Gridley, California. Private inurnment will be held at Mountain Shadows Cemetery in Sonora, California. The family suggest contributions be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are entrusted to Gridley Block Funeral Chapel 530-846-2138.