Martha (Genie) G. Ryan

Martha G. Ryan (Genie) passed away in her home on Monday, 5 December. Genie was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 16 December 1946 to Dayton and Barbara Blair. She grew up in Oklahoma and Kansas with her younger sister and brother. Genie was a graduate of Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas where she was in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She went on to complete her Master’s Degree in English from Kansas State University.

As an English language enthusiast, Genie parlayed her passion in to an extraordinary career. She taught English at the middle, high school, and collegiate levels in both Kansas and New Mexico. She was also an accomplished journalist writing extensively for both the Rio Rancho Observer and the Albuquerque Journal. In concert with her husband, Mike, she wrote the beloved editorial column Common Sense which ran in the Albuquerque Journal for over ten years.

Genie was a wonderful mother, wife, sister, grandmother, and friend. She was passionate about this community, Rio Rancho. Genie dedicated much of her time, energy, and spirit to making her community a better place. She did this through deep involvement in causes that she cared about; she was a long time board member at the Center for Hands on Learning, ReadWest, and the Chamber of Commerce. She was also deeply involved in the Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church, where she was a Deacon.

She is survived by her son, Christopher (Rikki), her step-children Tim Ryan, and Kellie Price (Allen). She was beloved by her grandchildren: Scott, Jackie, Nicholas, Daniel, Juliauna, Joshua, Alice, and Zoe, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Mike Ryan, her sister Ruth Ann Blair, brother Casey Blair, and her step-son Scott Ryan and a grandson, Thomas.

A memorial service will be held for Genie on Friday, December 16^th, at 10:00 at The Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church 1004 24th Street SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 with a reception following at the church. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to The Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church – Capital Campaign, or Storehouse West, 1030 Veranda Dr. SE St. F Rio Rancho, NM 87124.