Geraldine Ann Ryan Ball

On December 8, 2022, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Geraldine Ann Ryan Ball went to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus.   After 82 years on Earth, she has eternal life in Heaven.

Born in Fountain Hill (Bethlehem), Pennsylvania, to Gerald Francis and Loretta Grace Ryan, she was the youngest of five daughters, and her father’s namesake.

She graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School and Kutztown College. She dreamed of being a teacher from the time she was a girl. She fulfilled that dream after college, accepting her first teaching assignment  in Allentown, Pa, where she taught 33 third graders. She was a gifted and passionate teacher, instilling her love of learning, natural curiosity, and sense of fun into her lessons. In all, she taught for 28 years. Her final years in the classroom were spent at Hillcrest Christian School in Bethel Park, Pa., where she lovingly taught her “cherubs.”

She met the love of her life, David Marsten Ball, soon after she began teaching. They married two years later, sharing a wonderful 60 years of life together. They have one daughter, Susan, who followed her mom’s footsteps into the field of education.

Dave’s career took them across the country and back, which fueled Gerry’s adventurous spirit. She loved traveling and never missed an opportunity to explore the world with her family or friends. She traveled throughout the United States, as well as to South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. She loved learning about other places and cultures. She also delighted in spending time with her grandchildren, Macy and Zachary, and visited them in Virginia whenever she could.

Gerry never met a stranger, and loved getting to know new people everywhere she went. Her friendships spanned decades and generations. She was warm, social, and loved to have fun; people were drawn to her infectious laugh and joyful personality. She enjoyed many activities, but spending time reading and studying the word of God, attending church, and helping those in need were the things she valued doing most.

She leaves behind her husband, Dave; her daughter and son in law, Susan and Keith Swift; grandchildren, Macy (Kyle McNamee) and Zachary Swift; her sister, Jane Johnson;  her brother in law, Robert Ball; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She loved her family and friends deeply and  dearly.

She is predeceased by her parents, Gerald and Loretta Ryan, in laws, Edwin and Priscilla Ball, and her sisters and brothers in law, Joan and Rudy Schnalzer, Jean and Fritz Maurer, Sandra and Ron Doucette, Gervase Johnson, and Mary Ryan.

A Celebration of Life will be held in January at The South Hills Bible Chapel, McMurray, Pa. 

In the spirit of helping those in need, we ask that any memorial donations be given to the Washington City Mission, 84 W. Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301. The Mission was a charity she supported for many years.