LYONS, Irene Theresa

Irene Lyons passed away peacefully after a brief illness in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on February 24, 2006 at the age of 80 years. She was born in North Bay, on February 20, 1926 to the late William and Margaret (Conway) McKenna.
She worked for Bell Canada in North Bay and Sudbury for 34 years and retired in 1981. In her retirement years, she loved to travel and to volunteer with the V.O.N., St. Andrew's Place and St. Joseph's Hospital in Sudbury. In 1997, Irene moved to New Brunswick to be close to her daughter Helen and family. She continued her volunteer work in Fredericton with the V.O.N. until the summer of 2005. She was active with the Bell Pioneers and one of the earliest members of the Stepping Stone Senior Centre.
She is predeceased by her husband Michael Vincent Lyons of North Bay, brothers Leslie, Irving and Albert McKenna, and sister Florence Tait. She is survived by her daughter Helen Lyons, son-in-law Saba Mattar, granddaughter Sarah Mattar of Hanwell, New Brunswick, and brother Martin (Marg) McKenna of Orleans, Ontario, and several nieces and nephews.
According to her wishes, there will be no funeral, and her ashes will be interred with her husband Michael in St. Mary's Cemetery in North Bay. In Irene's memory, a contribution to a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated. A celebration of her life will be held in the spring. www.bishopfuneralhome.com