Julia M. Lydon

Dr. Julia Lydon, 91, passed peacefully on July 20, 2026. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Lydon was a longtime resident of Nashville, Tennessee for more than 45 years. She worked as a teacher, counselor and community liaison in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Office of English Learners from 1979 to 2011, including Hillsboro and Glencliff high schools. Her early and most impactful work was serving in the Peace Corps in Kabul, Afghanistan in the late 1960s.

Dr. Lydon received her BA from University of Colorado and her MA and PHD from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, PA. She was a Tennessee licensed teacher and guidance counselor.

Over the years she was an adjunct faculty member at several institutions including Tennessee State University and Trevecca University and she had many professional academic contributions and speaking engagements.

Julia was an active volunteer for many organizations including Nashville International Center for Empowerment and Nashville Taskforce on Refugees and Immigrants.

She is survived by her sister, Barbara Riedel, 14 nieces and nephews, and her dear friends, Cheryl, Deana, Debbie, Kathy, Mary and Kim. Preceded in death by parents, Michael and Jane Lydon, her sister Jane Kappel (and husband Jack), and brother Kevin Lydon (and wife Kay).

The family would like to thank the staff at Mary Queen of Angels Assisted Living and The Health Center at Richland Place in Nashville for all the care and support over the last few years.

Julia spent her life improving her knowledge of other peoples’ worlds, finding connections with all those she encountered, and helping those she could.

Interment will be private and a memorial service will be scheduled later.