Columbus moms and daughters share special bonds in public service

The month of May ushers in a season of renewal and growth, much of it directed toward motherhood. The days leading up to Mother's Day are punctuated by advice, affirmations and poetic verse about moms, both current and future, and why the role is so cherished.

But it's through actions and example where many find the inspiration for life's most influential and essential role. These three Columbus area mother-daughter profiles speak louder and more vividly than any rack of greeting cards or social media posts ever could.

More: Nine unique ways to celebrate Mother's Day in Columbus with mom

Generations of service

Mary Ginn Ryan can easily recite the names and occupations of her 11 children, in precise order. From Bobby, 48, the president of a private high school in Phoenix, Ariz. to Megan, at 29, her youngest, who works at the Nisonger Center, a federally funded part of the Ohio State University that helps improve the lives of persons with disabilities and serve their families.

In-between, there are clergy, medical professionals, a teacher and a U.S. Army veteran.

"You always hope that your non-verbal actions are more powerful than your words, said Ginn Ryan. Her measure of success: "You hope that they would be a person for others − that they would serve others."

She and husband, Robert, president of Egan-Ryan Funeral Service, raised their family on Columbus' East Side. Only four of the 11 live and work in Greater Columbus. But distance is a shortened when bridged by a tightly connected family.

"You build a foundation and you hope that it is sturdy and that they build it from there," said Mrs. Ryan.

Their youngest, Megan, born with Down Syndrome, inspired Ginn Ryan to found SPICE, an organization to help those with special needs. She and her husband began the work in 1999, shortly after Megan was enrolled at St. Catharine School, a parish school adjacent to St. Catharine Catholic Church at Fair Avenue and South Gould Road in the Eastmoor neighborhood.

Her religious faith has been tested over the years, recently when her oldest son was struck by a car in Arizona. Bobby had minimal injuries, but, she recalled of the phone call "As a parent, your heart just sinks. "I don't know how people survive without faith," she said.

Service, faith and family will have special meaning today for Courtney Ryan, No. 8 of the 11 children.

The principal of Saint Mary Magdalene School in the Hilltop, Ryan is expecting her first child. With a due date of June 2, `by the time this is published, she may be a mom.

"I have big shoes to fill," she said. "My parents always said they wanted a big family because they felt it was their duty to make the world better."

Motherhood, she said, "takes on a whole new meaning as I'm having one of my own ... thinking of all the sacrifices my mom made for all of us. If I could be a quarter of the mother she is, I would consider it a success."

'Creole' hospitality and values flavor mom-daughter ethos

Yonder Miller recalled her mom's story of that restless morning four dacades ago, after the metaphysical visit she had from an angel announcing an unexpected pregnancy

"God came to her in a vision and a dream and told her to name her Yonder, that I would be a teacher to many. She always believed that I was going to be something great," said Miller, 41.

Both Miller and her mom, Yonder Gordon, 62, share the same first name and an appetite for entrepreneurship.

The elder 'Yonder' is owner of Way Down Yonder restaurant in the Great Soutern Shopping Center.

Born and raised in New Orleans' 9th Ward, the youngest of eight children, she watched her parents and grandparents work hard at operating various businesses, including daycares, night clubs and cemeteries. She picked up not only work ethic and values, but also family recipes such as chitterlings, Bayou sauces and shrimp and Poboy sandwiches.

Yonder Miller helped her mom with business and marketing for a few years before being told "You've done all you've done for me and now you need to help yourself."

And so a year ago, Miller opened Way Down Yonder Beignets & Coffee on East Main Street with its eponymous beignets − square shaped pastries, with a soft, sweet center and sprinkled with powdered sugar and other toppings.

So what did she learn from mom?

"More than anything, staying positive, having good energy around you and making sure people around you have your best interests at heart," she said. A mother of three herself, ages 10-21, she is helped by siblings.

And to the family matriarch, success for her children and 17 grandchildren, is a daily reward.

"It's a blessing to see that the (family) tree has blossomed so beautifully," she said. "And as a mother, to know that I'm appreciated," said Mrs. Gordon.

Watching her daughter branch off wasn't easy. "It's tough for us to split up because we worked so wonderfully well together."

But, she added:

"If you've got values and learn how to put everything in perspective, then at the end of the day, you're still going to smile and still going to stay positive."

No child should go hungry

Kim Emch and her husband, Scott, moved to Hilliard in 1995 and quickly called it home. But it wasn't until their daughter Lydia entered public schools that they learned how others less fortunate struggled financially.

She learned that in 2007, some 2,158 families were living in poverty in one suburb, her's. And, she recalled thinking, "the problem is only growing."

That realization and her calling to help others, propelled her to create a summer lunch camp, part of FESTA, which provides free lunches, English instruction and classroom help among other programs to needy families.

And it was Lydia, who today is 26, and son Jared, 23, who, unwittingly, as kids of 10 and 7, inspired the mission to include her family to a job that pulled her away from parenting.

"There was no way I could leave them home. For me it became a whole family affair."

Lydia currently is marketing and communications manager, noting that each family member has held numerous posts in the not-for-profit.

Today, the free meals include quality ice-cream and other treats, thanks to her kids.

"They were my thermometer," said Mrs. Emch. "If they didn't like the lunch, and the camp, then I had to fix it, to make it better."

This Mother's Day, she'll honor the mothers, 80% of whom comprise the English language instructional program and strive to better their families.

So will Lydia.

"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what culture you are, what language you speak or your income," said Lydia. "All mothers love their children and all children really want to do is what's best for their mom."

Kim will also honor her daughter who she said offers a different perspective to life and inspires her to be a better person.

"When she speaks, I want to listen. I hope I’m a better listener, more understanding, creative and funny because of her."

And for Lydia, mom exemplifies "a selfless, servant-hearted person," who inspired her to "serve, love and value all people as individuals," she said.

"There is simply no limit to what she would do to help me or anyone else who needed her."

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus moms inspire daughters by lives of service