Leona "Jerry" Marie Ryan of Flagstaff, AZ passed away peacefully on December 4th, 2023, at the age of 96. Leona was born in Jerome to Gay and Elsie New on December 22, 1926.  As a child she lived in Clarkdale, Prescott, and Mesa.

After high school she decided that she would like to be around snow and went up to Flagstaff to Arizona State College to study education. Early in her college years she was at a dance with a group of girlfriends and a rather "brazen" young man came up and asked her name. At the spur of the moment, she responded "Jerry" rather than give him her real name!  Her friends began to call her Jerry, and she kept the nickname for the rest of her life. After having seen enough snow, she transferred to, and graduated from ASU. With her degree she moved to San Diego and taught Home Economics at the High School level.

After several years of teaching, she married the love of her life Tom Ryan in 1951 (whom she met on a blind date while in Flagstaff). Tom and Jerry both worked out at Camp Navajo until Toms' DOD career transferred them to Pennsylvania. They went on to live in Flagstaff, Germany, Washington state, Italy, Utah state, Okinawa and then finally retired back to Tom's hometown of Flagstaff.

Jerry was the definition of an altruistic volunteer. She spent several years as the president of the Alpine Garden club and 43 years in the hospital Auxiliary program. "Tom and Jerry" were a familiar sight as they pushed their cart of magazines throughout the hospital distributing to all with smiles and kind words. In the days before Kindle a truly welcome sight indeed.

She loved gardening, sewing, cooking, and her family. She was preceded in death by parents Gay and Elsie New and brother Frank (Aliene, Juanetta). Canine companions Bimbo, Taco, Rusty, Dolly, and Trixie. Jerry is survived by sons David (Ellen), Randy, grandchildren Marissa, Tyler, Mariah, and nieces Roxy and Carla.

She enjoyed going to, and being active in, the First Southern Baptist Church.

The family wishes to thank all who helped her with her life's journey. Especially Bobby and Corky, Karen, Kelly, Kristie, and Pastor Jim. She appreciated the care in her last home at The Peaks and in the brief care of Compassus.

Family Services will occur at a future date.