August 26, 2011
Funeral held for George-Anne Ryder, longtime activities director at Catholic Center and Sarto Retreat House
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Christ the King Church in Evansville Aug. 23 for George-Anne Ryder, who had served 17 years as director of activities at the Catholic Center and Sarto Retreat House in Evansville.
She retired in 2009, and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2011. She died at Angel River Health and Rehabilitation Center in Newburgh, Aug. 20.
Survivors include her husband Thomas M.; son, Thomas J., his wife Julie Allen Ryder and daughter Elizabeth, of Evansville; son Kevin, his wife Nicole Ryder and daughter Abbey, of Mukwonago, Wisc.; and brother, Larry Richmond of Cape Coral, Fla.
She was the daughter of George “Gilbert” and Anna “Lillian” (Braden) Richmond of Henderson, Ky. She was a graduate of Henderson City High School and the University of Evansville after also attending Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Before accepting the position at the Catholic Center and Sarto Retreat House, she worked at American General Finance and had been the director of Volunteer Action Center.
Her involvement in the community included three terms on the board of Catholic Charities, including one term as president of the board. She also had been a member of the YWCA and served one-term as president.
George-Anne and Thomas Ryder had served on the board of the former Parents Club at Memorial High School and held the post of co-presidents for one year. She was a graduate of the Leadership Evansville program.
She grew up as a member of Immanuel Baptist Temple in Henderson. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Evansville for more than 40 years. Her many activities in the church over the years included Sunday School teacher, choir member, Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Camillus Ministry visiting the sick in hospitals.
Msgr. Kenneth R. Knapp was the principal celebrant of the funeral Mass. Entombment was in St. Joseph Mausoleum.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities or the American Cancer Society.