LYONS, Essie Anne; January 5, 1934 to April 5, 2016. Essie Lyons passed away rather unexpectedly, yet peacefully, on Tuesday April 5th at Groves Memorial Community Hospital. Essie was the loving wife of David (Dan) Lyons for 56 years. Mother to Rob, who tragically passed away just seven short months ago, and Adair who lives with her husband Todd Lisso and their children in Caledon East. Grandma Es to Montana, Dalton and Kennedy Lisso of Caledon East, and Jesse Lyons of Manitoba. Essie was born and raised in Winnipeg. She was a graduate of United College at the University of Winnipeg. Received her degrees in Political Science and Teaching at the University of North Dakota, and was pursuing her Masters at Ohio State where she met Dan. After marriage in 1960, she began her lifelong passion for teaching and education. She taught in Thompson Manitoba, Milwaukee Wisconsin for many years, and in Wellington County after moving to Elora in 1975. While living in Elora, she taught at St. Margaret’s School for Girls, Centre Wellington District High School, Arthur District High School, College Heights, Guelph Collegiate and Portage. In Elora, she was an active volunteer for several charities including the Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke, and Meals on Wheels where she acted as a delivery volunteer and treasurer for many years. Her dedication to that charity meant that Christmas Day meal deliveries were a tradition in the Lyons house. Essie absolutely adored people and would strike up a conversation with literally anyone. She was genuinely interested in what people had to say. Steadfast in friendship; she was never judgemental, always loyal and true. And she sincerely valued those qualities in others. One of Essie’s greatest joys in life was spending time at her family cottage, built in 1939 by her parents, on Brereton Lake in Manitoba. It was a truly cherished place for her. The Lake was a source of peace, and great joy. In accordance with Essie’s wishes, she has been cremated. Her ashes will be spread, along with Rob’s, at the cottage. And, a celebration of her life will be held this summer at Brereton Lake. In honour of Essie’s profound love of animals – donations, in lieu of flowers, to the Guelph Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.
“His Eye is on the Sparrow”
