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Tom and Lynnette Titus’s small son had one wish. He wanted to have more flowers in their yard.

Nearly 20 years after his death at the age of five, Ryan is getting his wish and more with his parent’s estate plan through the creation of the Ryan Taylor Titus Memorial Fund at the Toledo Community Foundation.

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Greater Toledo Community Foundation will help you create your own legacy for the community. Please contact Bridget Brell Holt, philanthropic services officer, at 419.241.5049 or Donate online.

Ryan Titus

Upon the death of the last surviving spouse, proceeds from the Titus’s entire estate will create their fund which will provide direct support to the Kitty Todd Nature Preserve. The preserve is an 850-acre centerpiece of the Oak Openings Region and a model of land management practices to reintroduce native plants and animals.

Ryan, their only child, was diagnosed at the age of two and a half with leukemia. “One day we were coming back from a chemotherapy treatment and he said he wished we had more flowers at our house,” recalls Lynnette.

After Ryan’s death, his mother needed to reinvest in life and fell in love with plants. Lynnette, a master gardener, volunteered nearly 2,000 hours at Kitty Todd. While working at the preserve, she could stand in specific spots and find peace.

“It’s important to perverse the native habitat and we wanted people to always remember Ryan. He was a character with his red curly hair and blue eyes. And he so loved being outside,” adds his mother.

“With this gift, his memory will live in perpetuity. It is such a good feeling to know that our estate is settled,” notes Tom.  “It gives us peace of mind and we have worked hard to find the best legacy for our son.” 

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