Anne Lyons

1933 - 2021

Anne Lyons (née Ward), loving wife, mother, and grandmother, died Friday, December 17, 2021. A resident of Bridgewater, NJ, she was born in Chester, PA on March 14, 1933 to Brigid Hastings and Martin Ward. Dr. Lyons earned a Bachelor degree from Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, a Masters in literature from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and her Ph.D. in literature and popular culture from the University of Bowling Green in Ohio; her dissertation explored the southern woman as belle. While studying at Bowling Green, Anne met and fell in love with Robert (Bob) Lyons, a fellow student. They were happily married for 31 years, until Bob's death in 2002. Anne taught English at all levels from grade school to graduate school. Though, most of her career was spent teaching High School in Cherry Hill, NJ. She retired from a life-long teaching career in 1999. She could recite countless poems from memory and instilled that love of poetry in her children by teaching them to memorize several poems, as well. In addition to education, Anne and Bob owned a dog kennel for many years and bred Miniature Schnauzers, many of whom she named after characters from stories by her favorite author, Flannery O'Connor. As a devout Catholic and a very modern woman, she saw many problems with the church she loved. And, she believed in 'changing the church from within.' Anne was often described as 'having a beautiful soul' and left a loving mark on everyone she met. She is survived by her daughter Aimée and husband Edward and their daughters Lila, Anna, and Vivienne of Bridgewater, her son John and husband Filemon of New York City. Due to the escalating pandemic, the family will have a private Mass of Christian burial. The family plans to celebrate Anne's memory while raising money for Parkinson's research at the Parkinson's Unity Walk in Central Park, NY on Saturday, April 23, 2022. All are invited to join their team (Lyons' Pride) for the walk www.unitywalk.org or make a donation in Anne's memory.