The family relocated to Long Beach, and Gay worked in the women's clothing business as a buyer for Buffum's Department Store. She married Army Major John Ryan of Chicago in 1944, the the two made their first home in Long Beach, CA after the war. Mr. Ryan's work moved the couple to Bay Village, Ohio, Salt Lake City, Utah, and then back to the South Bay, where they built a home on Miraleste Drive in 1964.

Gay Ryan was actively involved in her community. She was a charter member of the San Pedro Peninsula Hospital Women's Guild, and served with the Holy Family Adoption Guild, the Friends of the San Pedro Library, the San Pedro Republican Women's Club and the Assistance League of San Pedro, where she managed their gift shop for several years. Throughout her years of involvement in these and other organizations, she made many wonderful friends in the community. She has attended Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach with her family since the early 1990's.

Gay was preceeded in death by her husband in 1996, and is survived by a daughter, Christine (Clint) Miller of San Pedro; a son, Barry (Maria) Ryan of Rancho Palos Verdes; grandchildren Brady, Ben and Angela Ryan and William Miller; Sisters-in-law Tina Shaw of Long Beach and Pat Samfilippo of Scottsdale; Nephews William and Patrick Shaw; and several grand nieces and nephews.