Sarah Marion Lyons

1932 - 2016

Sarah Marion Lyons, known to her friends as Marion, was born to Herbert and Mary Holm in Chicago, IL on May 28, 1932. Marion later moved with her mother to Denver, Colorado. She attended the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Cathedral High School where her friends knew her as Sally. Marion married William McElwain in 1950 and the couple moved to Boulder, Colorado where she spent the rest of her life. She and Bill became members of the Boulder Country Club where Marion was a life member until her passing. She gave birth to three children Mary, Donna and Marty. She and William later divorced in 1976. Marion was an extremely active member of the Boulder community. During the 1950's, she served as a leader in Cub Scouting, Girl Scouting, Campfire Girls and 4H. She was a member of the New Comer's Club, welcoming the newly arriving residents to the Boulder Community where she served as President, Treasurer and later as a member of the Board of Directors. Later in her life, she served as president of the Boulder Toastmistresses, National Association of Parliamentarians, and League of Women Voters, Democratic Women's Club, After seeing her children through college, she enrolled at the University of Colorado at Boulder where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Accounting and Marketing and then a Master Degree in Business Marketing. After completing her degree, she took a position as an accountant in the research division at Ball Corporation, also worked for several local Boulder area businesses including Tull Construction, Tradition Homes, and E.F. Hutton. Marion left her job in the private sector to become assistant to Clarence Decker the minority leader of the Colorado Senate. While working for Senator Decker Marion found encouragement to make her first run for a seat in the Colorado State House of Representatives in 1972, losing to her friend and neighbor John Bueckner. She attempted another run at the State house in 1976 but again lost the election to Penfield Tate. Marion maintained a close affiliation with her alma maters, meeting regularly with her graduating class from Cathedral High School and was a very active member of the CU Alumni Association where she served a three-year term on the Board of Directors. She was also a member of the CU Directors Club, The CU Heritage Club and an honorary member of the CU "C" Club. In 1985, Marion married Russ Lyons, a Boulder Entrepreneur and car dealer. They were married until Russ' passing in 1996. The couple remained in Boulder and had a winter home in Tucson Arizona where they were active members of the Tuscan Golf and Country Club. In Boulder, Russ and Marion were members of the Boulder Country Club. Marion was the second woman to serve on the Board of Directors for the Boulder Country Club and was the chairman of the House Committee. Marion also served as president for the Boulder Country Club Woman's Golf Association and organized the Ladies Bridge Club for several years. Since moving to Boulder, Marion was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic church where she served as an Catechist, Usher, Greeter and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Marion is preceded in death by her husband G. Russell Lyons. She is survived by her brother Herbert (Vernetta) Holm of Winter park Florida, her children Mary (Gerald) Malm of Louisville, Donna Thalman, and Marty (Alfred) McElwain of Boulder; her grandchildren Meredith (Joe) Rodriquez, Josh (Kel) Malm, Heather Malm, and Kaylan (Mike) Hazlett, Melody (Clayton) Devlin and Alyssa McElwain (Ike Ruse). Her great-grandchildren Ella Malm, Hudson, and Harper Devlin and. Darwin Hazlett A visitation will be at Greenwood and Myers Mortuary on Monday, January, 25th at 5:00 PM with the Vigil starting at 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Fr. Dorino Delazer and Deacon David Luksch at Sacred Heart of Mary Church on Tuesday, January 26th at 10:00AM. Interment will follow as Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery. Instead of flowers, friends are asked to send donations to Sacred Heart of Jesus School Foundation or Tru Community Care Hospice. To offer condolences please visit www.greenwoodmyersfuneral.com.