GRANTHAM, NH — Marilyn Joy Chappell Lyons, 84, of Eastman, Grantham, NH passed from this journey to a new and brighter one on October 15, 2020 at Littleton Hospital comforted by her family. She had been in declining health for several months.
Marilyn was born August 23, 1936 in Pittsburg, NH, the daughter of Colon and Doris (Prescott) Chappell. She was predeceased by her infant son Jonathan Alden Lyons, her ex-husband Dana Harlow Lyons, and her parents. She graduated as Valedictorian from Pittsburg High School and received her B.S. from New Haven State Teachers College (now Southern Connecticut State University) and began her teaching career at the Hindley School in Darien, CT. She loved her school, her students, and her life so close to New York City and went to the theatre as often as possible. She met her husband while in Connecticut and after marriage they moved to Lyme, NH where she taught middle school for many years. A change in her professional direction came when she became Purchasing Manager at Creare in Hanover. She retired after many years and moved to the Eastman Community in Grantham in 1995 until her death.
While at Eastman she was an active volunteer for many organizations including the Veterans Administration, Claremont Community Alliance, and the Eastman Aires. She especially enjoyed transporting the vets and others to their appointments and formed friendships with many of those she helped.
Marilyn was an avid traveler and made many trips abroad with the N.H. Friendship Chorus, including the group’s first trip in 1988 to the People’s Republic of China. With the chorus she traveled to Brazil, Croatia, Russia, Finland, Armenia, Greece, a second trip to China, and many other countries. Having a keen interest in the Roma people, she especially relished her volunteer trip to Romania with a church group. With family members she visited most of the EU, the Caribbean, and recently the Azores. Travel was her passion. She was an ardent supporter of the Central Asia Institute which promotes the education of Afghan women and girls.
Her loving survivors include her son Gerald Jonathan Alden Lyons and grandson Dylan, of North Haverhill, NH, a sister Susan Chappell Hoag and brother-in-law Roland “Skip” Hoag of North Sandwich, NH, nephew Roland “Chip” Hoag and his wife Heather, and niece Johanna Hoag of Sandwich and great nieces Isabella, Phoebe, Fiona and great nephew Roley Hoag of Sandwich and many dear friends and relatives.
The family extends its deep appreciation to the nurses and physicians at DHMC, especially Dr. Siegel, Nurse Practitioner Maria Dragnev and PA Cheryl Elinsky for their care and guidance.
A private graveside service was held at the Colebrook, NH cemetery. Gifts in her memory would be welcomed for the Central Asia Institute, PO Box 7209, Bozeman, MT 59771 or the charity of your choice.