Barbara Ann Lyda

Barbara (Morton) Lyda (76)
Barbara is dearly missed by her siblings Jim (Kathy), Bob (Karen), Susan Herczak, Marcia McAllister, Rick (Sally) Morton and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Ron Lyda, partner Tom Baney, parents Jim and Rose Morton, brothers John Morton, John Klody, sister Rose Parris, brothers-in-laws Ed McAllister, Bill Parris and Ron Herczak and sister-in-law Judy Klody.
A longtime resident of Dormont, Barbara grew up near her grandparents' dairy farm, now the Keystone Oaks campus, where she roughhoused with her cousins and siblings in the creek, orchard and fields.
By the age of 10, Barbara began to take tap dance lessons from a neighbor, Billy Davidson–who was a Broadway performer. Billy felt Barbara was good enough to audition with Gene Kelly for a show he was staging in New York City. Barbara remembered the audition, "It was very exciting dancing with Mr. Kelly. He was so nice to me and walked me through the whole routine." Barbara earned an audition in New York but was unable to attend the next round.
Barbara always looked forward to Morton family reunions, Dormont fireworks and 4th of July parades, Christmas get-togethers, weddings, birthdays and other family functions.
Barbara met and married Ron and decided to start raising pedigree dogs with Judy. For getaways, Ron and Barbara would vacation on Lake Erie, fishing with family and friends, and collecting beach glass and shells along the shoreline.
With Ron's sudden passing, after sharing 13 years of marriage, Barbara involved herself in her community and joined the local VFW where she met and found more friends–her nickname became "Sleepy."
Soon, Barbara was lucky enough to find her soul mate in Tom. With Tom by her side, she endured two rounds of cancer therapy, becoming a long-time cancer survivor. Barbara was able to continue to rejoice in her life and their shared enjoyment of fishing on Lake Erie. Tom and Barbara were committed to each other and lived happily together until his passing. They were able to share their lives for 20 years.
Barbara's special songs were "Barbara Ann," performed by The Beach Boys, and "At Last," sung by Etta James. Her preferred playlist was Doo-Wop and early Rock & Roll, while Barbara's all-time favorite music artist was Whitney Houston.
After a brief illness, Barbara passed away peacefully. Her presence and devotion to her family and friends has left a void in our lives.
Thank you to all who expressed their sympathy and condolences to the family. Barbara is now one of our guardian angels.
Interment will be at the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery next to her husband. A memorial Celebration of Life will be scheduled later. The family suggests memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society.