Mary Elizabeth Lyons

June 22, 1921 - March 15, 2014

Mary Elizabeth Lyons died peacefully at home on March 15, 2014. Mary Liz was born in Pontiac, Michigan on June 22, 1921 to Robert A. and Gertrude M. Armstrong. Mary Liz attended Vassar College and afterwards, while working in Washington D.C.as a researcher in the Latin American Division of the OSS, she met her husband, Dr. Robert T Lyons. Mary and Robert were married in Pontiac, Michigan on May 30, 1947. Thus began a long learning experience as a mother of six children and wife of a busy physician. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, Dr Robert M. Armstrong and his wife Barbara, and granddaughter Brianne Lyons. Surviving Mary are the 6 “long learning experience” children , Michael (Debbie), Steven (Phyllis), Matthew, and Dr. David Lyons (Julie), Mandy Rebone, and Rebecca (Kent) Holton, grandchildren Brandon Finnila, Andrew Rebone, Tim and Grace Lyons, and Rhea and Emma Lyons and great-granddaughter, Abigail Finnila, nephew Rob Armstrong, nieces Kim Silcox, Kathy Koski, Susan Payne and their dear families. Mary leaves behind in good care her loyal and very precious companion, Merli. Mary was a perpetual student and volunteer and a champion of Monarch butterflies. She was involved and supported many organizations; among them were the County Discussion Group, Genuine Leelanau, Great Books, Common Cause, Leelanau Democratic Women, League of Women Voters, Little Garden Club, Sharecare of Leelanau and Heifer international. Mary was a docent and past board member of the Leelanau Conservancy and was passionate about farmland preservation and promoting the return of farmers markets to Leelanau County. She loved classical music, swimming in Lake Michigan (Gimmi’s lake), and reading on the beach and spent almost entire summers in her gardens. Family and friends were the most important part of her life and she was overjoyed when she could help people connect to each other. She was also a world traveler and enjoyed experiencing other cultures. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held in Northport at a later date in May. In lieu of flowers, Mary is wishing that donations be made in her memory to the Leelanau Conservancy, P. O. Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654 (www.leelanauconservancy.org/donate) or Sharecare of Leelanau, 7401 E. Duck Lake Rd. #600, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653-8701 or to a charity of one’s choice. For any more information on the celebration, please contact Becky at [email protected] . Please share your memories of Mary with her family by way of her online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 395 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.