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May 22, 2007

Lesbian author Terry Ryan dies at 60

Terry Ryan, a lesbian author who wrote the memoir The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio—later turned into a movie—about how her mother kept the family financially afloat by winning jingle contests, has died. She was 60.

Ryan died Wednesday of cancer at her home in San Francisco, her family said.

She was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2004 just after filming of the movie was completed. The DreamWorks film, starring Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson and directed by Jane Anderson, was released in 2005.

Ryan, the sixth of the family's 10 children, told the story of how her mother, Evelyn, won cars, refrigerators, televisions, and money in commercial jingle contests during the 1950s and '60s in this town about 50 miles southwest of Toledo.

Evelyn Ryan, who died in 1998 at age 85, used the winnings to feed the family and her alcoholic husband. The money also kept them from being evicted from their home.

Terry Ryan decided after her mother died that she needed to write the story of their life. Her book was a loving tribute to her mother.

Ryan left her hometown in northwest Ohio in 1969, moving to San Francisco. She worked there as a writer and cartoonist. She also reviewed books and wrote two poetry books. (AP)

© 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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