Joan (Ryan) Messer

Joan Gately Messer, age 73, of Athens, passed away at home on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, surrounded by her loving family. She fought courageously during her battle with cancer, and now is at peace. She has closed the door on this journey and is now an angel in Heaven.
Joan was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and mother-in-law, and an especially wonderful grandmother. Family was everything to her and it was felt the most during the holidays. Her joy of cooking, decorating, and shopping were evident at each occasion. She celebrated each one with passion and always surrounded by her extended family.
A native of Chicago, Joan was the daughter of the late Thomas L. Ryan Jr and Patricia Gately Ryan. She moved to Athens in 1985 to be closer to her children. She was a member of the UGA Catholic Center, the Athens Country Club, and Champion Hills Country Club, in North Carolina, where she spent time playing golf and enjoying her friends.
Survivors include her loving husband of 51 years, Paul James Messer Jr.; children, Paul James (Shari) Messer III, Kim Kyle, Patsy (Joey) Caviness, Lynn (Todd) Hawkins, and Matt (Kristi) Messer; grandchildren, Hayden, Conley, Christopher, Nicole, Blake, Jordan, Taylor, Haley, Gately, Ryan, Peyton, Logan, and Ashley; siblings, Thomas L. Ryan III, Richard C. Ryan, James H. Ryan, Sue Hartigan, and Karen Ann Harpenau; and many more family members and friends.
A memorial mass will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, November 11, at the UGA Catholic Center. A reception will follow at the Athens Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald Center, in Atlanta.