March 27, 2009
George-Anne Ryder to retire March 31
George-Anne Ryder looks into the Communications Office at the Catholic Center in Evansville, in a 2004 file photo. Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
George-Anne Ryder is retiring. Not from the committee that coordinates the annual Wisdom Day celebrations in the diocese. Not from the volunteer work she will continue for the Golden Jubilee celebration for married couples each fall. But from the job she has held since January 1991 as Director of Activities and Facilities.
In other words, George-Anne is leaving the workday responsibilities for the Catholic Center, Sarto Retreat House, the Rabenwood retreat house and the Villa Maria home for retired priests. But she is not leaving the kind of activity she enjoys, serving the people of the area in a variety of ways.
When George-Anne came to her diocesan position 18 years ago, her experience had included six years with American General Finance, and eight years as director of the Volunteer Action Center, helping to provide what was then called the Information Referral Service.
“That was one of the reasons I felt like this job [with the diocese] was well suited to me,” George-Anne said in a recent interview. “I had spent so much time in doing service.”
Information Referral Service is now called the Help Line, and is operated by United Way. When George-Anne was in charge, the service received calls from people in need and was a centralized location for people asking for assistance from area food pantries.
At American General, George-Anne had been engaged in record-keeping, the kind of responsibility, which along with her service background, helped prepare her for the diocesan position.
Most people do not realize, she said, that “at least 20,000 people are served each year” at the facilities operated by the Diocese of Evansville.
Most weekends of the year are booked at Sarto. “Cursillo and Tres Dias book their weekends five years in advance,” she said. “That will give you an idea of how committed they are and how much they appreciate these facilities.”
George-Anne considers Msgr. Kenneth R. Knapp her “mentor” from the years she served on the board of Catholic Charities.
The refurbishment of Sarto Retreat House came about with the help of Msgr. Knapp and Justin Clements, diocesan director of stewardship and development. It was quite a task, “emptying and moving 55 rooms,” she said. New furnishings were provided by a donor for all of the rooms.
The existence of Sarto Retreat House should be credited to Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman, she said. He had the foresight to build a retreat house with private rooms, each with private bathrooms, which continues today to be an attractive feature.
Another major accomplishment over the years came about through working with Ken Krasavage, formerly executive director of diocesan services. With his leadership and George-Anne’s work, the Catholic Center and Sarto Retreat House were brought up to date with new boilers, an elevator at the retreat house, improved security systems and other work.
George-Anne has no big plans for retirement. She and husband Tom will go to Florida in April. She will be able to visit her mother in a nursing home on weekdays, not just weekends. She will continue to work with the Wisdom Group, and with Catholic Charities for the annual Golden Jubilee celebration, which is held in the fall to honor couples married 50 or more years.
“I am particularly grateful for all the opportunities I have had here with Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger,” she said.
As for the diocesan staff and the 20,000 people who use the facilities, who will take care of them? “I feel really good about the staff. They are all proactive, very concerned. Their customer service skills are wonderful.”
Staff members include Julie Young in the activities office, George Fleming in maintenance along with Elmo Gunn and Kevin Moore, Dianna Morales in the kitchen at Sarto Retreat House along with Margie Nord, Mary Baumgart on the switchboard, and a crew of after-hours people who help provide security for the facilities.
George-Anne and Tom Ryder live in Evansville. A son Tom and Julie and their daughter Elizabeth live in Evansville; another son Kevin, Nicole and daughter Abbey live in the Milwaukee area.