Nancy Lyons

1938 - 2021

Nancy Ann Lyons
February 4, 1938 - January 27, 2021
We lost our beloved Nancy on January 27, 2021 at precisely 5:00 p.m. She passed away surrounded by her family.
Nancy was born on February 4, 1938 in Whiting, Indiana to Thomas R. and Ann L. Ryan (nee Lucas).
She attended St. John the Baptist Catholic elementary school (Whiting), and Bishop Noll high school (Hammond, IN). In 1959 she graduated from the Little Company of Mary nursing school and launched both her nursing career and the California phase of her life. When she and her friend, Kitty, decided to move to San Francisco, Nancy's mother was certain she would return in sixty days. She stayed 60 years.
She worked at St. Mary's hospital for four years on the 4W and 4S wards. It is here where she began to accrue lifelong friends, a trend that continued throughout her life.
Nancy met James P. Lyons at a party in the Richmond district in early 1960 and they have been together for the last 60 years, being married for 58 years.
She leaves behind her husband James (retired SFFD), her three children Ann Lyons (Stephanie Richardson) of Salt Lake City, Kevin Lyons of Novato, and Patty Lyons (Luke Roundy) of Petaluma. She was exceptionally proud of each of their children. However, the love of her life was her granddaughter Victoria Lyons of Novato.
She is survived by her brother Thomas (Rocky) Ryan and her sisters-in-laws Kathy O'Connor (Brian deceased) and Mary Lyons, brother-in-law Frank Blumenthal, her nephew Matthew O'Connor, and nieces Denise Johnson Morland, Karen Johnson, Beth Ryan-Small (Ross), Barbara Deems (Jack), Victoria McKilip (Pete), and cousins Andrea Lucas, Carolyn Lucas-Skowronek (Michael), and Andrew Lucas.
She is predeceased by her parents, many aunts and uncles, sister-in-law Elizabeth Blumenthal (Frank), and her sweet and lovable nephew, Daniel W. O'Connor.
Nancy left her nursing career when her first child was born in 1964 to become a stay at home mom. She moved to Novato from Pacifica in 1972, and ultimately took a job as a teacher's aide at Pleasant Valley elementary school in Novato. Nancy was brilliant and coupled with her love of learning, became a natural teacher with the ability to reach the students at their level. She loved her aide job and assisted many wonderful teachers over her 25 year career.
She was a voracious reader and an expert at solving crossword puzzles. She was a gifted note writer (hand-written only!) who had the most elegant way of stating her thoughts. Her friends and family knew they were special and loved.
She was an incredible cook and baker. She was known for her enchiladas and Christmas cookies. Back in the day, she sewed up a storm. She was excellent with finances and loved to peruse the local stores for a good bargain. She also loved the Golden State Warriors, especially Steph and Klay. Nancy and Jim traveled quite a bit, going to France, England, Ireland, Greece, and her favorite Italy. They also made several trips to visit the American eastern seaboard, and sailed on cruises to Europe, Alaska, and through the Panama Canal. Let's not forget the epic trips to Tahoe with life-long friends the Parentis, Wrights and Richardsons who all crammed into a VW Vanagon and laughed their way up the mountain!
Nancy was a devout Catholic and a member of our Lady of Loretto church in Novato for 48 years. Until Covid, Nancy never missed a Sunday mass. However, she didn't miss a beat and began attending "Zoom" church. She volunteered for multiple charities where she and her friends raised money for those in need.
Nancy had the most incredible network of friends and neighbors – the "Friends" group, the "Birthday" club, and the "Domino" ladies. Up until recently she exchanged Christmas cards with some of her nursing school classmates – 60 years! Friends from her first job at St. Mary's created subsequent generations of friends. A number of Jim's grade schools friends' wives became her very best friends, many of them acting as godparents for each other's families. When she became ill last September, many of her friends' children sent cards wishing her well and letting her know how she had impacted their childhoods. Many remembered her laugh…
Generous with her knowledge, kind, grounded, fair, and honest are some of the terms used to describe her. As you can see, she could do almost anything. She will forever remain in our hearts.
Due to the pandemic, a celebration for family and friends will be forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, send a hand-written note to a loved one or please donate to Hospice by the Bay (Larkspur) or The St. Vincent De Paul Society (1806 Novato Blvd, 94947).