Brattleboro- Justine Elizabeth "Jay" Ryan, 87, of Fuller Drive died peacefully on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Born on March 16, 1924 in St. Albans, Vermont, Jay was the daughter of Walter J. and Laura (McCarthy) Kennedy. She was a graduate of Hartford (VT) High School, class of 1943. She moved to Brattleboro from Randolph, Vermont and went to work at the American Optical. It was there that she met her future husband, Phil Ryan. They were married on June 26, 1948 at Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Church and celebrated 48 wonderful years of marriage until Phil passed away in April 1997. Jay worked for the former J.E. Mann clothing store and later for the Holstein-Friesian Association from which she retired in 1984. She was a communicant of Saint Michael's Catholic Church for over 60 years. Jay is survived by her daughter Candy Sak and husband Roger of Vernon, and her grandchildren Amanda of Brattleboro and Tony of Belmont NH who loved and adored their grandmother and her great spirit. Jay also leaves her sister, Charlotte Dimick of Brattleboro and many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her brothers, Walter Allyn and Russell and a sister, Mary Joyce. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. at Saint Michael's Catholic Church, the Mass to be concelebrated by the Very Rev. Richard O'Donnell, V.F., pastor of Saint Michael's Church and Rev. Russell Kennedy, Jay's nephew. Committal Rites and burial will follow in Saint Michael's Parish Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. There are no calling hours at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Jay's name may be made to Saint Michael's School, 48 Walnut Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301 in care of Mrs. Elaine Beam, principal.