April 2, 2021

OBITUARY: Sister Mary Lyons, SSJ

REGIONAL

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Sister of St. Joseph Mary Rose Lyons (formerly Sister Raymond Maria), 91, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass., on April 1.

Born in Holyoke, she was the daughter of Howard and Anna (Jecker) Lyons. She graduated from the former St. Jerome High School in Holyoke and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Jerome Parish in 1948. She earned a bachleor of arts degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and a master of teaching degree in mathematics from Worcester State College.

She taught in schools of the Springfield Diocese, including St. Mary’s in Pittsfield; Immaculate Conception in Easthampton; St. Mary’s in Northampton; St. Joseph’s in North Adams; and Cathedral High School in Springfield. She taught in the Worcester Diocese at St. Ann’s in Worcester and St. Joseph’s in Leicester.

She was a eucharistic minister for more than 30 years and also worked for more than 25 years in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Holyoke. She served on the staff of Mont Marie Health Care Center as a nurse’s aide, retiring in 2000.

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Paul Labonte, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Edward, Howard, and Helen.  

Services will be held on Wednesday, April 7. Burial will be held at Mont Marie Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.