HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-12-22, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016. PAGE 9.
Ryan home filled with love around Christmas
A family affair
With the Ryan family of Walton (and further afield) it's all about everyone being together
around the holidays. This year, the whole gang will be getting together at the home of Joe
Ryan on Canada Company Road, not farm from his father Jack's farm, where next year's
International Plowing Match will be held. Back row, from left: Rhonda Ryan, Joe Ryan, Peggy
Sloan, Steve Ryan, Darlene Ryan, Roan Wilkins -James, Monica Ryan and Steve James. Front
row, from left: Adam Ryan, Johnnie Ryan, Jack Ryan, Owen Ryan and Mackinley Ryan.
Absent were Terry Sloan, Sarah Nixon and Spencer Nixon. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
While there have been some lean
years in the past, the Ryan family of
Walton is looking at Christmas this
year as they look at most occasions
these days, as a celebration.
In September, the home farm of
Jack Ryan and his late wife
Marianna will play host to the tented
city for the 2017 International
Plowing Match (IPM), which will
also use the farms of numerous other
families around the Walton area. The
Ryans have, in many ways, become
the face of the IPM in Walton and
the tradition of farm families that
knit together the fabric of Huron
County.
"We definitely looked at [hosting
the 2017 IPM] as a celebration," said
Joe Ryan, Jack's son, in a 2014
interview. "My parents went through
a lot of hard times. They worked
through really tough times just to
make ends meet. So to have
something like the International
Plowing Match now, here in Walton,
it's a celebration to be sure"
While Jack and Marianna went
through their challenges of
numerous ups and downs, their
family's biggest challenge would
come just a few years ago when
Marianna was diagnosed with
ovarian cancer. She passed away in
2012.
Jack and his children described
Marianna as a special woman who
will always hold a place in their
hearts. She was a farm girl at heart,
Jack said, which is why he felt
hosting the IPM at their farm was a
fitting tribute.
When conversation turned to
Christmas, however, Jack and his
children described Marianna as a bit
of a prankster — always poised to
play a joke on Jack, their children or
their grandchildren.
She was also extremely dedicated
to her family, especially around the
holidays. When family planned to
get together, said her daughter Peggy
Sloan, Marianna ensured that all
members of the family would be
there. And, if they were waiting on
someone, nothing could start.
She was a fair woman who always
wanted to make sure that all who
attended Christmas at the Ryan
home felt like they received an equal
piece of the pie.
Monica Ryan, another daughter of
Jack and Marianna's, said that
Marianna was always very particular
about the gifts she and Jack gave
around Christmas, ensuring that
everyone, whether it was their
children or their significant others,
received an equal share of presents
under the tree and that they always
felt welcome in the home.
Jack said it was nice to have those
options in the later years, because
when he was a child growing up
around Walton that wasn't always
the case.
Growing up with four brothers and
two sisters, Jack said there were
some years when Santa Claus didn't
bring presents to the family. Times
Continued on page 13
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