Ruth-Marie Lyons

Ruth-Marie Lyons, beloved mother, grandmother and friend to all, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2013.

She was born on Sept. 6, 1917 in Ann Arbor, Mich., the daughter of Henry and Anna Werner. She grew up in Chelsea, Mich. On June 16, 1936, she was united in marriage to Alfred W. Lyons. Their blessed marriage lasted 58 years until his passing in 1994. Three children were born to this marriage, Alfred W. Lyons, II, Barbara J. Hansen and Margaret M. Spear.

Ruth-Marie moved to Fountain Hills after her husband’s death to live near her daughter, Barbara Hansen. Ruth-Marie had seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Living in Kalamazoo, Mich. her entire married life, Ruth-Marie was a homemaker, working only at election time when she was an election chairman for 30 years in her precinct.

Her love of sewing was her greatest pleasure. It was well known that anything that could be done on a sewing machine, she could do it. Family members maintain there wasn’t a crossword puzzle anywhere that could stump her. Though she did not share her husband’s love of golf, she was a great bowler.

Ruth-Marie’s gentle and loving spirit combined with her wit and wisdom were her greatest charms and will be so missed by the family. She was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and was President of the Workers of Mary.

One of the highlights of her life was when Al joined the Knights of Columbus, working through all the chairs until he became the State Deputy of Michigan. She truly enjoyed being first lady of the Michigan Knights. The Lyons traveled all over Michigan visiting KofC Councils and had a wealth of friends. Her favorite place to go was to the Knights of Columbus State Convention at Mackinac Island.

They returned every year and their daughter, Margaret, was married on the island during a state convention and had her reception at the famous Grand Hotel. Ruth-Marie was invited back to Mackinac Island for the convention every year as the honorable wife of the past state deputy.

She and Al were able to travel to Rome and had an audience with the Pope. She also treasured the memory of attending John F. Kennedy’s inauguration and attending the inauguration balls.

When she moved to Fountain Hills she became very involved in Four Peaks Women’s Club, once again contributing her sewing abilities. She was a member of Church of the Ascension.

Ruth-Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Al; daughter, Margaret Marie Spear; brothers, William and Paul. Surviving are son, Alfred William II, Silver Springs, Fla.; and daughter, Barbara J. Hansen (Fred), Fountain Hills; grandchildren, Laurie Anne Stamas (James), Scottsdale, Mark Andrew Lenderink (Pam), Kalamazoo, Mich., Robert Michael Lenderink (Heidi), Phoenix, Dierdre M. Spear, Woodstock, Ga., John Hall Spear, II (Melissa), Chicago, Ill., Paul Lyons, Kentwood, Mich. and Patricia Lyons, Oakland, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Alexia and Stephanie Stamas; Cole, Corbin, Mckenna and Macie Lenderink; Christian and Olivia Petee; beloved nephews, Henry (Barbara) Werner, Tucson, Paul (Mila) Werner, Fairfax, Va. and Jeanne Marie Valliere (Vaughn) Johnstown, Colo.

Also surviving is her dearest friend, Bob Moore, Fountain Hills, who has lovingly been at her side for 15 and one half years.

Cremation has taken place and a family service will take place in Michigan in June. The family expresses its gratitude to Sunflower Assisted Living in Fountain Hills for the tremendous care Ruth-Marie has received over the past two years. They treated her as family for which we will be forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley.