Florine O’Ryan

FLORINE “FLO” O’RYAN (nee Cicchella) age 91, passed away peacefully April 25, 2021; beloved wife for 63 years of the late Mayor Morton “Mort” (retired Mayor, Willoughby Hills); loving mother of Sherie Ragan (husband Walter), David (wife Dorothy), Kathleen Mekesa (husband Vyto,) Nancy O’Ryan, and the late Patricia “Patty O’Ryan” Frantz; devoted grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of 15; cherished daughter of the late Mary (nee Finizza) and Anthony Cicchella; dearest sister of Geraldine Gerding (husband Alan) and the late Anthony Cicchella Jr. (wife Margaret); dear aunt and great-aunt of many.

The O’Ryan family, and the town of Willoughby Hills, recently lost a giant. Florine Jane O’Ryan, affectionately known by many as Mrs. Willoughby Hills. Though she was tiny in stature, Florine was large in life and a cornerstone of her family and community. A devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, sister-in-law, and friend, she treasured the opportunity to shower her loved ones with beautiful crafts, baked goods, strudel and her world-renowned pasta sauce.

Florine retired as a Senior Vice President from First Federal Savings & Loan/Charter One Bank after more than 37 years in the banking industry. Since moving to Willoughby Hills in 1965, Florine and her husband supported a number of local service initiatives and dedicated their lives to the City of Willoughby Hills. Flo was actively involved in various PTA organizations for her 5 children, served as Girl Scout leader for more than 18 years, the Willoughby Hills Lions Club, the Willoughby Hills Quilt Guild and Chair of the Willoughby Hills Recreation Committee. One of Florine’s proudest achievements with her husband Mort, was the development and building of the WH Community Center which included the Senior Center and Library. Florine proudly spent years coordinating activities for seniors and creating programs to foster community amongst the WH senior population. Her commitment to service not only touched countless lives in the local community but has also gone on to nurture a spirit of service with her children and grandchildren.

Florine served as president of the Lakeland Alumni Association and was a Hall of Fame Inductee in 2013, and received the Alumni & Friends Award, and received the Women of Achievement Award in 1994, in addition to volunteering for more than 25 years on a variety of committees including the IMAGINE committee.

Florine attended Cleveland Heights High where she met and married her high school sweetheart in 1950.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at The Waterford at Richmond Heights, especially Maggie and Pat for their loving support and attentive care over the past few years.

Contributions may be made to The Mayor Mort O’Ryan Scholarship Trust, c/o Kathleen Mekesa, 681 Bishop Rd., Highland Heights, Ohio 44143.

A private family burial took place this past spring. Celebration of Life Saturday, July 24th at 11 AM at the Campbell Park Pavilion, 35405 Chardon Rd, Willoughby Hills (rain location: O’Ryan Room inside the Community Center). Family will receive friends immediately following Service until 2 PM. Arrangements by DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS.