Defiance Bids Goodbye to Terry Ryan

Copied from the Crecent News:

Under sun-drenched skies, the body of Terry "Tuff" Ryan reached its final resting place Tuesday at the peacefully shaded Riverside Cemetery.

The brief committal service followed an emotional funeral at St. Mary Catholic Church, where a large contingent of Ryan's former high school classmates joined family members, friends and officials from Defiance City Hall and Defiance College.

Ryan, a 1964 Defiance High School graduate and author of The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, died of cancer last week at the age of 60.

"Many called her Tuff, others called her Terry, but whether her mother liked it or not, the church on the day of her baptism called her Teresa Ellen," began Father Tim Kummerer, referring to Ryan's childhood days at the parish school.

The comment drew immediate laughter from family members and friends. (Ryan referred in her book to the fact that her mother sent her babies to church with one name and the priest, insisting on a saint's name, always baptized them by a name other than one she had given them.)

From the opening hymn of "Amazing Grace" through the inspirational recessional "On Eagle's Wings," the service represented a celebration of Ryan's unconditional love and marvelous sense of humor.

"In writing the book she balanced fear and abuse with love and humor," said her brother, Bruce Ryan. "Through that book, she made that love and humor available to the whole world. Not many people can say their life positively affected the whole world, but Tuff can."

The scripture lessons were read by Ryan siblings Lea Anne Metzger and Fred (Bub) Ryan, while those two and other family members made final remarks of remembrance.

"She was the most kind, generous, likable, entertaining person I've ever known," said Fred Ryan. "Every brother should be so blessed."

"She died as she lived, with grace, dignity and humor," added Bruce Ryan.

Kummerer extended his thanks and sympathy to the late author's life partner, Pat Holt, and Ryan's brothers, sisters and other family members.

The local priest recalled that many present knew Ryan "from Latty's Grove, from 801 Washington Ave., from St. Mary school, from Defiance High School, from backyard games and from city and high school sports.

"Being a rather recent transplant to Defiance, the only way I came to know her was because I read the book more than once and saw the movie several times," said Kummerer. "You who are here know Terry 'Tuff' Ryan not because of the book she wrote, but because of the way she loved and the way she showed her love to others.

"Terry Ryan's greatest work is not found in the pages of a book," he added. "Her greatest work was found in the character of her loving us."

Kummerer also referred to a statement Ryan made after she was told she had cancer in late 2004.

"My old life is over and my new life has begun. That's what Terry said," said Kummerer. "Now her old life is over and her new life -- an everlasting life -- has begun. Her love and her life will never end."