BARBARA JEAN LYON

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BARBARA JEAN LYON Barbara Jean Lyon, beloved wife of the Honourable Sterling Lyon passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at St. Boniface Hospital with her family by her side. Barbara was a loving and devoted mother to her children, Nancy Matthews, Andrea, Peter, Jennifer and Jonathon Lyon and they, with their respective partners Douglas, Denyse, Alexandra, Patty and Bonnie, are deeply saddened by their loss. She will be dearly missed by her six grandchildren, Alexandra, Calum and Kerry Matthews, Fraser Lyon, and Jonny and Kathryn Lyon, whom she adored. She also leaves to mourn her sisters Phyllis Bjarnarson and Pat Gardiner and many nieces and nephews who were all an important part of Barbara's close-knit family. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Garnet and Maud Mayers, sister Betty Rambaut and brother John Mayers. Barbara was born in Winnipeg, MB and spent an idyllic childhood growing up in Ogilvie, MB, in a loving family home, enjoying summers at her grandparents' family farm near Ogilvie. After completing her high school education, she moved to Winnipeg and struck out on an exciting new phase of her life, meeting new people who would become life-long friends and working at the Bank of Montreal. While living at 23 Kennedy St. in Winnipeg with a number of other young people, she met her future husband, Sterling Lyon. They were married at Westminster United Church in Winnipeg on September 26, 1953, beginning a strong enduring partnership of 53 years. Barbara and Sterling moved to Fort Garry, where they made a loving home for their five children. This was a busy time for the young and growing family as Sterling pursued his successful political career and Barbara ran the household taking an active interest in the children's activities and education, encouraging them in their individual pursuits and ensuring they had well-rounded experiences. Summers were spent at the family cottage at Delta Beach, MB. Barbara was a strong partner and supporter of her husband's public and political achievements. She and Sterling made many lifelong friends, travelled extensively throughout Manitoba and Canada and had numerous repeat trips to Barbara's favourite holiday destinations including Florida, Hawaii, Italy, France, and especially England and Scotland. Over the years, as their children met their partners, she welcomed new members to the growing Lyon family and was particularly delighted as the family expanded to include her beloved grandchildren who were an enormous source of joy and pride to her. Barbara had deep links to the community and regularly served as a canvasser for the Cancer Society. She had many varied interests - she was an avid gardener with a confirmed green thumb, each year carefully nurturing her beautiful garden, often inspired by her travels to English gardens. She was a long-standing member of her bridge club which she enjoyed as much for the close friendships as for the joy of the game. Her bridge-playing skills were honed by the memory work she did with challenging crossword puzzles. Barbara loved to cook and she loved good food; her family and friends were the beneficiaries of her skills as a true gourmet. Mom created a beautiful, warm and inviting home for family and friends. Most recently, following a serious car accident that she and Sterling survived in 2002, she helped her own recovery by finding a new challenge: redecorating the family home in Fort Garry that was her pride and joy for the past forty years. Barbara's greatest love was her family to whom she was selflessly devoted and her favourite times of the year were Christmas and Thanksgiving when the immediate and extended family gathered and shared laughter, good times and of course excellent food. Barbara was a wonderful partner and mother and a loving grandmother. Her enduring legacy to her family is her grace, dignity and generosity of spirit. She will be very deeply missed but leaves her family and friends with a lifetime of warm, happy and rich memories. The family has been very touched by the outpouring of affection and support offered by Mom's many friends during this difficult time. We would particularly like to thank Gloria Blacklaw, Mom's close friend, for her constant friendship over the years. We would also like to thank her long time family physician Dr. Andrew Jowett and his assistant Agnes Baschuk for their kindness and consistent care over the years and the City Ambulance Services and the emergency and palliative teams at the St. Boniface Hospital for their professionalism and compassion. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at Westminster United Church, Reverend Robert Campbell officiating. Reception to follow at Westminster United Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. Thomson In the Park Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 30, 2006