Jean Van Ryswyk

Jean Van Ryswyk, 72, passed away on March 2, 2008. Born in Pontypridd, South Wales on March 22, 1925, Jean lived in Wales until she was five years old. She moved to America with her mother and brother where they joined her father and older sister in Ohio in 1930. While living in Cleveland, Jean studied ballet and worked as a secretary through her early twenties. Later she and her mother moved to Phoenix to be closer to her sister. Jean met her husband, Cornelius, in 1959 and they married soon after. She worked as a district office secretary with Shell Oil until 1971 when she joined her husband to work at their construction company. Upon retirement Jean and Cornelius traveled extensively in the United States with their friends in the New Mar Kountry Klub and also abroad to visit relatives and friends in many different countries. Jean is survived by her husband, Cornelius Van Ryswyk of Peoria, AZ; sister-in-law, Rhea Lovell of Eastlake, OH; cousin, Elsie Sage of Willoughby, OH, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family in the United States, England, and Wales. A memorial will he held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 13, 2008, at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City. A luncheon will follow the services at the same location. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of the Valley-Westside. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.