You Rock: Don & Patty Ryan
Each month Winona Woods recognizes an ordinary person who does extraordinary things. This month’s You Rock comes from Michele Barnard and goes out to Don & Patty Ryan.
Michele writes:
Michele Barnard’s YOU ROCK award goes to Patty and Don Ryan @ 74 Pontiac Dr. our backdoor neighbors for thirty years.
I am putting the Ryan’s in as one person, because after 40 years of marriage they are one person. Since I moved here 30 years ago they have gone above and beyond being the best neighbors you could ever ask for. They raised two very successful daughters and still managed to throw lots of parties. Patty is known for being the “Martha Stewart” of the neighborhood. When they throw a party you will find the best food and decorations you could imagine. (of course Don is always in the background working to make Patty a success as Martha).
They made sure that Pontiac Dr. had an annual family picnic for over 20 years, uniting neighbors young and old. They hosted Irish exchange students for many years and they are till very close to this day. One of the girls will be here this summer so she can introduce her husband to this wonderful family.
Remember the ice storm of 1991? Ryan’s were the only ones to have power on their street. They made sure that all the children had a warm place to sleep at their house and that everyone had a nice warm meal at least once a day for two weeks. To make sure no one forgot the ice storm they through an annual Ice Storm Reunion party for many years complete with centerpieces of sticks stuck in hunks of ice. New Year’s Eve 2000 they through a party that no one will ever forget. “Martha” was also present at our wedding 14 years ago in our back yard. Don lugging their beautiful flower pots to decorate our yard for the reception and Patty and their two daughters beautifully decorated an arch where we were married. They hosted some of our guests at their house, made us a brunch that was fabulous. Their daughters were there to help the guests with anything they needed. Our wedding was perfect because of them.
My husband broke his ankle one year and could not make it up the stairs to sleep. Along came Don with a bed for our front room so that my husband could sleep comfortably during his recovery. Ryans now take care of her 90 year old mother and their 2 grandchildren so they have slowed down slightly on the parties.
Emergency dog walking no problem, need a ride Don will be there. Need a nurse? Call Patty who is a Nurse Practioner. She is always available for advice on anything medical. As you can imagine I could write a book about the Ryans. They are the best neighbors you could ever hope for and we could not imagine life without them! Ryans ROCK!
Don & Patty, now it’s your turn to recognize someone else! You have 30 days to write contact@winonawoods.com with your nomination, an image and three reasons that a fellow Winona Woods resident rocks!