Kathryn A. Quaderer

Kathryn A. Quaderer (Kathy Lyons)

Kathryn Ann Quaderer, known to most as Kathy Lyons, 71, of Royal Oak, MI left this earth surrounded by the family she loved so much on January 15, 2026. Kathy endured several years of a rare, progressive, neurodegenerative disease known as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and is now happy and whole again in Heaven.

Born November 28, 1954, in New Haven, Connecticut, Kathy was the eldest daughter of Mary Lou (Broderick) and Tom Lyons. Her love of the ocean and all things water began during her childhood in Connecticut and only grew after moving to Michigan with her family as a young teen. Kathy could often be found lifeguarding, teaching swimming lessons, sailing a Sunfish on Pine Lake or boating on Lake St. Clair. As an adult, she took up SCUBA diving and could name any fish in the Caribbean and had likely photographed it at some point!

A REALTOR by trade, helping people find their dream home was more than a job, it was a passion. For nearly 40 years, Kathy was always available to her clients, and SOLD signs bearing her name could be seen throughout Metro Detroit.

Her greatest love was her family. She loved fiercely and was an endlessly devoted mom to her only daughter, Karen. Karen was her pride and joy, she not only excelled at being a mother, but being a daughter. She sat by her side until the very end, bringing her Uncrustables, Kitkats, or the occasional happy meal just to visit with her Mom each day. Kathy always made sure her daughter was taken care of. The love Kathy had for her family was passed down to Karen - Kathy's best friend, foundation of life, and reason for everything she did.

When Karen married Kirk Sellke (after hanging up the phone on him when he asked to marry her only daughter, a story we would laugh at for years to come), Kathy gained a son, never to be referred to as a son-in-law, and her heart only grew to near bursting as her three grandchildren, Grace, Maddie & Clyde became the lights of her life. "The Nana" spoiled them rotten and supported every activity, hobby, sport and thought they ever had. She was a fixture of school pick-up lines for no reason other than to spend time with "her" kids. Quick trips to Target for Legos, Papa Romano's for Bambino Bread or Tim Horton's for TimBits often followed as an after school treat.

At Christmas, Kathy would bake dozens and dozens of cookies with her grandchildren, while decorating the world's fattest Christmas trees and watching all of The Santa Clause and Home Alone movies on repeat - they were her favorites. (Her collection of Santa Bears always took up the space on the couch for the movies, though!) Kathy was their loudest cheerleader and quietest confidant. Her memory will be carried proudly by her greatest loves, Grace, Maddie & Clyde.

Affectionately known as "KaKa," Kathy was a loving aunt to Courtney (Matt) Egbers, Stephanie (Cole) Hudson, Brad (Natalie) Wilkinson, Karl Ripple, Emma, Claire & Anna Lyons and Great Aunt to Felicity & Theo Hudson and Lillie Wilkinson.

Kathy is survived by her sister, Mary Beth (Tom) Wilkinson and brother, Tom (Michelle) Lyons. She was met at Heaven's gate by her parents, Tom & Mary Lou Lyons and her beloved sister, Meg (Mark) Ripple, who undoubtedly handed her a cold can of Tab and told her she was early for something for the first time ever!

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church, 32340 Pierce Street, Beverly Hills, MI 48025 on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10:30am. Friends may visit beginning at 10am.