Paulette Kathleen Lyons

Paulette Kathleen Lyons, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully on January 8, 2024, at home in Gurnee, Illinois. She was born on September 22, 1943, in Attleboro, Massachusetts, to Norma (Lindskoog) Sundquist and Paul Sundquist. She was preceded in death by her sister Bonnie (Sundquist) Becker, parents Norma, Paul, and stepfather Alfred Minuth. Paulette is survived by her husband of 59 years, James, her two sons Jeff (Wendy) and Eric (Anna), her grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

She spent her early life in Chicago with grandparents, and her later school years in Round Lake, IL. After marrying Jim in 1964, she worked as a caring wife and mother raising her family in Waukegan, IL. She was an equally dedicated aunt, sister-in-law, and life-long friend to many. She took on civic roles and blazed trails as an entrepreneur, investor, and political advocate. She was a proud graduate of Barat College in Lake Forest and worked for many years as a financial planner for Northwestern Mutual Life. For the last few decades, she and Jim lived in Gurnee, IL where she again grew special friendships.

Paulette was a persistent and optimistic person who always found the positive aspects of any situation. She was a consummate planner and loved hosting festive family gatherings, cultural field trips, and lavish social events. She loved new experiences like skydiving, race car driving, and segway rides with her grandkids. While she was proud of her Swedish heritage, she also enjoyed experiencing new places, people and customs, traveling the world with wonder. She especially loved her time in Door County, WI with family and on Marco Island, FL with long-time friends.

Even with all the love she shared with many friends, Paulette’s family remained her greatest joy, and the ones she held most dear. She absolutely adored her grandchildren and cherished every moment spent with them. Memories of this sweet girl’s vibrant light and kind spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

A celebration of life gathering will occur later in the year.

In lieu of cards and flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity in Paulette’s honor.