Joyce and Phil Ryan were inseparable for 37 years.
The couple met in Sarnia, instantly became best friends and later married.
“You never saw Phil without Joyce or Joyce without Phil. Ever,” said Judy Szabo, of her father and stepmother.
On Oct. 2 around 6 a.m., a stolen truck ran a stop sign and struck the passenger side of the Ryans’ car. The couple was together during the crash as Phil was driving Joyce to work at the time.
Both were taken to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre where Joyce later died.
Phil suffered from a broken back and sternum and four broken ribs. He is now recovering at home with family.
Szabo remembers her stepmother fondly and said she was like a second mother to her and her siblings and was a quiet, kind and gentle woman.
To honour her memory, the family is celebrating at the Westfort Prosvita Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m.
“We’ve been sad for two months. We want to get over that,” said Szabo. “The friends and the family need to share. Today, we’re going to have a good Irish celebration and talk about all the good things and all the good times we’ve had with Joyce.”
The driver of the truck fled the scene of the crash on foot and has not been found by police. Szabo said knowing the driver has not come forward has made their loss tougher to deal with.
“It’s bad enough you lose somebody, but to lose them in this manner and to have the person responsible take off, it’s a little surreal for us,” she said.
“Our concern now is finding the person who did this…we need to close this chapter. That’s what’s going to help us heal. We need the person responsible to come forward.”
Szabo is grateful for the support the family has received from the community since Joyce’s death and thanks the witnesses that have come forward and shared what they saw with the police.
She also urges anyone else with information to call the police.
“It could be the smallest little thing that could bring this guy down. Whatever you can do, and thank you for your support,” she said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 623-8477.
