Audrey L Lyons

1926 - 2018

Audrey (LeBlanc) Lyons passed peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family on December 27, 2018 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Audrey was born on August 2, 1926 to William and Lucy (Smith) LeBlanc in Bay Mills, Michigan. On March 17, 1951 she married James G. Lyons and together they raised a family of 11 children in Bay Mills. Audrey was a college graduate and taught school in Sault Ste. Marie for many years before she retired. Retirement was not for Audrey, she pursued a career feeding the Senior Citizens of Bay Mills, Michigan and spent many years as the Director of the Elders Program at Bay Mills. During the 80's Audrey became recognizable for her work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association through her benefit bingos that she hosted yearly and in 1987 was recognized by Jerry Lewis for her work on this great cause. Audrey spent many years helping family and community members. Because of her extraordinary work as a volunteer she was recognized in 1990 as Michigan's Senior Citizen of the Year. Bay Mills Indian Community declared September 5, 1990 as the Audrey L. Lyons Recognition Day for her work with the Native Elder Population. Audrey was a member of the Saint Kateri Catholic Church, VFW Ladies Auxiliary and a proud member of the Bay Mills Indian Community. Audrey had many interests and hobbies. She loved to play royal rummy with her family and any type of card game. She was an excellent poker player and enjoyed gambling. She loved the Kings Club Casino and all of her friends that worked there. She was an avid reader and passed that love onto many of her grandchildren. Her greatest love and joy was her family. Audrey would say that it was her favorite time, when she could gather her children and grandchildren together for big family dinners and gatherings. Audrey shared a special bond with her grandson Steve Lyons. Audrey is reunited with her parents William and Lucy LeBlanc, her husband James (Gordie) Lyons, her beloved son Lawrence, daughters Denise and Gerri, Grandson Jason Lyons, Great Granddaughter Skye Link and Great Grandson Jesse Bjork. Also preceding are Audrey's siblings Anna LeBlanc, Agnes Carrick, Alphonse LeBlanc, James LeBlanc, Lawrence LeBlanc, Armella Parker and infant sisters Isabelle and Mary. Audrey is survived by her children, Marilyn (Larry) Yon, Kathi (Mike) Carrick, James Lyons Jr., Dawn (David) Terrell, Anita (Don) Charles, Melanie Lyons, Walter (Bobbi) Lyons and Michele LeBlanc. Audrey had 27 grandchildren, 82 great grandchildren, and 12 great great grandchildren. Audrey is also survived by 2 brothers William (Bun) LeBlanc and Walter LeBlanc and many, many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday January 3, 2019 at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church with Brother John Hascall officiating. Burial will follow in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church or the Alzheimer's Association. Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.clarkbaileynewhouse.com