Mary Lyons

Our mother was born on July 4, 1921. She grew up on Poyntz Avenue in Toronto with her parents and three sisters. Like many young women in the early 1940’s mom waited while her sweetheart was overseas serving in WWII. She married James Alan Lyons (Al) in 1946 soon after the war was over. Together they raised seven children. Dad passed away in June, 2002, just prior to celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary.

Although a busy homemaker, mom was always known for her kindness and willingness to help others. Growing up, we remember her assisting the fundraising campaigns of a number of charities such as the Salvation Army, Cancer Society, Heart and Stoke Foundation and Kidney Foundation. She often conscripted us in her canvassing efforts, which (eventually) served to impress on us the importance of charitable work. She also found time to teach Sunday school, serve on various church committees and be part of a neighbourhood bible study group.

Mom loved having her family all around her. She was so proud when each new grandchild came on the scene. She always looked forward to family visits at home and at the cottage. As well as taking joy in the fun and beauty of the cottage environment, mom continued her interest in community matters by serving a term on the board of directors of the cottagers’ association.

Mom had a great fondness for music and the arts. As a teenager she sang in the church choir and participated in school plays. She enjoyed listening to dad play their favourite songs on the piano. Many of her children and grandchildren have been inspired to learn to play instruments and now enjoy musical get-togethers. Mom was also quite a reader. She had a keen interest in current events and politics and strove to keep abreast of important developments in law and society, which was of course ever changing throughout her lifetime.

After living most of her married life at the family home on Hillcrest Avenue our mom moved to Shepherd Lodge in 2007, dictated by her care needs. Mom enjoyed visits with her children and grandchildren while at the Lodge and was capably and lovingly assisted by her personal caregivers, in addition to the fine and caring staff of Shepherd Lodge. All of these contributions to mom’s care and comfort will be forever appreciated.

Our dear mother is now in Heaven with those of her loved ones who’ve gone on before her. Although we rejoice in her homegoing, at the same time we have shed many tears and feel the great loss of her sweet spirit with us here on earth. She was a wonderful mother. She believed in us and encouraged us to live our lives to the full, in our own individual ways. We pray that mom’s example of living a loving and compassionate life will help us continue to try to be the best that we can be.