Helen A. Lyon

Helen Ann Lyon, née Jendryk, age 95, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2024. Born Helen Frances, she was the youngest of ten children of the late Albert and Pauline, née Kusnierz, Jendryk (Jedrzejczyk). Helen and her beloved twin brother, Chester Joseph, grew up in a close-knit Polish family in the St. John of God Parish and Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago. She is preceded in death by her husband Donald William Lyon as well as her siblings and their spouses: Joseph, Mary, Walter (Mary and Anna), Ann (Allan) Tarry, John, Valerie (Marvin, Sr.) Poe, Stanley (Elaine), and Chester. She is also predeceased by nieces Carol Jean Poe, Donna Tarry Krueger, and Isabella Jedrzejczyk. Helen is survived by her sister Lorraine (the late Thomas) Mills, her sister-in-law Veronica Jendryk, and many nieces and nephews in the United States and Poland.
Helen was fluent in Polish and graduated as valedictorian from St. Joseph High School with a love of learning, education and the Catholic community that would serve her throughout her life. Her experiences and stories of family and community life in the 1930s & 1940s are treasured family lore, including scrappy and humorous tales of the street cars, odd jobs aplenty, Sherman Park, the heyday of Ashland Avenue shopping, dances at the Trianon Ballroom and finding her way to the North Side to cheer on the Cubs and spark her lifelong dedication as a fan. Ahead of her time and in support of her family, she pursued an independent path while working for Western Electric and then for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. So began lifelong friendships and a love of travel!
In 1954, Helen married Don and they spent 34 years raising their family in the St. Lambert and St. Peter parishes of Skokie until Don's passing in 1988. They were a dynamic duo in village life with Helen on the homefront and Don building his practice as a distinguished attorney. Their deep devotion to their Catholic faith, particularly to Mary, the Mother of God, was a guiding light throughout their lives. As a wife and mother, Helen brought her sense of tradition, heartfelt convictions and love to her family, home and garden. She had impeccable style in design and décor and showcased collections of art, furniture, dolls, and angels to create memorable family gatherings. She transformed her home annually for the different seasons and holidays which is a legacy her friends and family hold dear. An avid bowler, music lover and excellent cook, she was affectionately known as "Helcha" or "H" to those close to her.
After her husband's death, Helen embraced life of family, community and travel. She became a minister of care and volunteer for social justice causes in her church. She organized and served as an officer in her bowling leagues where she treasured the decades of fellowship, support and friendship with circles of women. Her travels were a testament to her zest for life, learning about cultures and exploring the world.
Helen's greatest love, pride, joy and accomplishment was her family. She nurtured, cheered, smiled, cried, laughed, hugged, supported, listened, prayed and taught with her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and blessings of blended families. She is survived by her daughters and their families: Mary Jo (Greg) Stegeman, Nancy Lyon (Gary Hansel), Carrie (Dave) Stutzman, Ellen Lyon, Donna Lyon (Phil Van Swol), Laurie Lyon (Ray Zymantas), and Lisa Lyon (Ross Feldman); grandchildren Greg (Claire), Katie, Joni, Don (Gretchen), Dan, Matthew, Kelly (Jen), William, Sarah, Molly, Melanie, Megan, Dana, Tyler, and Trevor; and great-grandchildren: Gregory, James, Fiona, Landon, and Violet.
Helen's smile, enduring faith, kindness, sociable nature and indomitable spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her. In honor of Helen's remarkable life and legacy, the family invites you to join in celebrating her memory.
Visitation, Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 2 to 6 p.m., at HABEN Funeral Home & Crematory, 8057 Niles Center Rd., Skokie.
Funeral, Monday, September 23, at 10:15 a.m., from the funeral home, for Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 a.m., at St. Peter Church of Ss. Peter & Lambert Catholic Parish, 8100 Niles Center Rd., Skokie.
Interment, St. Peter Catholic Cemetery, Skokie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, IL, 60022 (chicagobotanic.org) to continue her spirit of generosity and love. Your kind thoughts and prayers are appreciated during this time.
Funeral info: 847.673.6111 or to leave a condolence message, please go to habenfuneral.com, click on Helen's obituary, and post a message under Tributes.