But recently, the transplant agency allowed unrestricted communication, and they've kept in touch with letters - and the Antognionis have sent photos of their family. Winslow said she will be taking photos of Ryan to the meet-up to share with them.
Although they've received a number of emails from Ellen Antognioni, the couples have yet to talk via phone. The Antognionis recently relocated from Bennington Vermont.
Reading one of the emails via phone, Winslow put a voice to some of Ellen Antognioni's sentiments about the donation of Ryan's heart: "We are so happy we can meet you - We wanted to thank you in person for your love and kindness - God bless you," Ellen Antognioni wrote.
"They sound like pretty special people," Winslow added.
Donne-Lynn Winslow also said she was intrigued that Gary Antognioni apparently has a deep interest in baseball and football, and served as a coach for the sports.
Such an attribute represents a bond with Ryan, who also loved sports, she said.
Ryan Winslow was a three-sport standout at Warrensburg High School - he was the fleet-footed quarterback of the school's late-1990s football teams, a member of the 1998 basketball team that won a Section II championship and continued into regional playoffs for the state championship - and he was a pillar of the school baseball team.
He also loved water sports, boating, kayaking and wakeboarding on Lake George. He also had a passion for snowboarding, skiing, golf, and biking, as well as a thirst for adventure.
Ryan Winslow was also known as a friend to all, and he was known as thoughtful towards people of all ages.
Matt Randall, a classmate and one of Ryan's many close friends, commented Tuesday on Ryan's character.
"Ryan had a real magnetism," Randall said. "People just gravitated toward him."
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