When Mary Ryan died so did various parts of Lovelock, NV. She had such an impact on the school system, her neighbors and especially her church, Grace-St. Francis Community Church. Mary played the piano for our congregation every Sunday without fail and without pay. She did it out of love. That is how Mary operated, out of love. Her best friend, Cindy Plummer and son Jeff Meyers would tell you that in a heartbeat. Mary was LOVE.
Many in the community were bereft. The church has been without a pianist for seven months at this writing. But we have not been without music. I asked Jeff Meyers if he would sing for us occasionally so that we could have some real music. We have been singing our hymns to the accompaniment of CDs of the Methodist hymnal. It gets humorous at times when we want to sing at a different tempo than the CD. I know Mary is laughing from her vantage point on high.
Our congregation loves the times when Jeff sings for us. He told me it is much better than singing to his steering wheel.
Jeff stated that his love and passion for music and performing grew, as did his immense respect and admiration for Mary. He began studying music with Mary in grade school. According to Jeff, years passed by and kazoos and xylophone sticks were traded for sheet music and piano lessons. Elementary school was centered on music class and his time with Mary. He enjoyed singing "Don Gato" and Mary saw the drive and passion and ignited a flame in him. Musicality was just a part of who he was.
Middle school was a whole new ball game for Jeff. Not only did he get to perform for classmates and Mary, he would get to travel across the state and perform in Solo and Ensemble competitions. Jeff's father died when Jeff was in middle school. Mary and Jeff's singing helped him cope with his grief.
In Jeff's senior year in high school, he achieved what very few people in any state do. He became a four-year Nevada All-State Choir participant, one of just five from across the state.
After high school, Jeff began a vocal performance regimen at the University of Nevada, Reno. He would often talk to Mary and tell her what the instructors and vocal coaches were saying about his ability to sing and the uncanny ability to memorize music so quickly. Mary quickly became more than the neighbor across the street or his mom's best friend. She was becoming his friend.
The weeks immediately following Mary's untimely death were perhaps among the most trying times of his life. The tragic accident had taken the life of the most important and valuable person in his life. Mary had given a voice to students who were afraid to find that voice outside of the comfort of the choir room. So many children had their lives touched by this incredible soul and Jeff had been blessed to be one.
Our congregation reeled in the loss, fumbling around with compact discs to make up for the absence of her piano playing abilities.
The following quotes are from a letter to Jakolat from Jeff Meyers.
"Pastor Kathy Jakolat and her husband, Fred, did the best they could to keep the music alive at Grace St. Francis. Pastor Kathy contacted me shortly after Mary's passing to see if I would be willing to sing in church on the Sundays that she would be leading the congregation. My heart was overjoyed at the opportunity to sing in front of people again.
In this recent time, however, it has become more than singing. I have developed a closer relationship with my mom, with Kathy and Fred, and, most importantly, with God. Those days following Mary's death, I questioned how God could have let something like that happen to Mary. Today, I still don't have an answer, but I'm at peace with not knowing. Though I still miss Mary immensely, turning it over to Him and letting him heal my aching heart has been such a breathtaking and joyous experience.
Pastor Kathy recently told me, "if there was anything good that came from Mary's passing, it's you. While I appreciate the sentiment, the same can be said equally of the congregation and leadership at Grace St. Francis. I have gained a new family in God's people and the ability to pass on the voice that Mary helped me to develop has been a gift to both them and me. The best part of all is that I know, positively, that Mary is listening in ... every time I sing."
[[In-content Ad]]Editor's note: Pastor Kathy Jakolat of Grace-St. Francis Community Church asked Jeff Meyers to write about his experience with Mary Ryan, his beloved music teacher who was killed in a tragic accident in early December 2011. The following piece was submitted to the Review-Miner from Jakolat and is based on his writing.
