Shirley Ann Lyons Meier

1935 - 2016

Shirley Ann Lyons Meier

Shirley Ann Lyons Meier of Colchester, Vermont, died July 12, 2016, after a yearlong battle with cancer. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on April 27, 1935, to Harold and Mildred (Martin) Lyons, Shirley grew up an Army brat, moving up and down the East Coast.

Shirley always wanted to help people and made that her life's work. She graduated as a registered nurse from Metropolitan Hospital School of Nursing in New York City in 1956 and went to work in hospitals and private practices in New York and Vermont. She earned her bachelor's in health and special education in 1975, and her master's in education and counseling in 1976, both from the University of Vermont. She went on to start a psychiatric crisis program for Howard Mental Health and later became the mental health services coordinator for the Vt. Department of Corrections.

But she found her true passion written in the stars: astrology. She earned a certificate from Carl Payne Tobey's Institute of Abstract Science and continued to study astrology extensively. She gave readings in her business, SLM Astro-Counseling Services, and for the new age publisher Llewellyn. She became well-known and clients sought her out from far and wide. She wrote two books on astrology, "Elemental Voids: More than Meets the Eye" and "The Secrets Behind Carl Payne Tobey's Secondary Chart." She also loved to share astrology with others, teaching courses privately and through UVM and other institutions.

In retirement, she carried on her mission to help people by volunteering at the Colchester Food Shelf. Keenly interested in local government, Shirley considered herself a watchdog. Described by many as a real pistol, she was never afraid to stand up for what she thought was right.

In her free time, she spent countless hours working in the beautiful and extensive gardens she planted all around her house.

Shirley was previously married to Otto Meier III and is survived by their two children, Otto Meier IV, and his wife, Mary Jane, of Londonderry, New Hampshire; and Tracy Meier, and her partner, Patrick Cook, of South Burlington; along with several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Dorene Schutz; brother, Harold Lyons; and two nephews, Harry and David Schutz.

Shirley gave in death as she did in life; her final act of kindness was to donate her body to the UVM anatomical gift program. In accordance with her wishes, no funeral services are scheduled. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Shirley's memory to the Vermont Respite House (www.vnacares.org) or the Colchester Food Shelf (www.colchester foodshelf.org).

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