Munnich, Kevina Mary (Ryan) age 77 of Minneapolis passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on February 28, 2024. Raised in Larchmont, NY, daughter of Pierce and Kathryn (Frey) Ryan. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University and completed graduate work in literacy and media technology. She began her career as an RN at Cornell University and University of Minnesota hospitals, and later followed a calling in education as a teacher and reading specialist in Minneapolis Public Schools, and researcher in reading instruction at the University of Minnesota. She gave back to her alma mater by interviewing prospective students, hosting events, and as co-founder and treasurer of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Georgetown Club. Kevina saw beauty in what others ignored or cast off - frequenting garage sales, finding new uses for household items, and collecting wildflowers, which she planted in her garden. She was passionate about peace and justice, humbly dedicating her time and energy to community education, public schools, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, DFL candidates, and progressive causes. She was a faithful member of the Basilica of St. Mary - where she served as a Sunday school teacher for over 25 years - and Ascension parishes. Long active in the Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association, Kevina took pride in welcoming new neighbors in the Bugle Notes column for many years. More recently, she built community at La Rive Condominiums, where she was known as an avid swimmer and walker, as well as landscape committee and book club member. Kevina loved to travel, often to visit family or trace genealogy, with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She visited all 48 of the continental United States on epic road trips that she planned down to the smallest detail, and traveled to 28 other countries on six continents. She was active in Irish and German genealogical societies, and constructed a complete family tree that traced back six generations. Kevina is survived by husband Lee, sister Kathy (Herb) and brother Thomas, children Edward (Jo Marie), Katharine, Joseph (Annalise), and Elizabeth (Anand), grandchildren Alyssa (Zac), Peyton, Malcolm, Eleanor, Lena, and Kiran, and many dear sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, who remember her kind heart and advocacy, her Swiss Christmas cookies that carried on the tradition her Aunt Madi started, and that she never missed a birthday card. Mass of Christian Burial, March 15th, 2024 at noon, Basilica of St. Mary, 88 North 17th St, Minneapolis. Visitation one hour before service. As with the plants she nurtured, Kevina devoted her life to building communities where people could form strong roots and grow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to A Mother's Love, amothersloveinitiative.org, which Kevina admired and supported.

Published on March 13, 2024