Elaine M. Lyons

Elaine Marie Lyons of Rockport, Texas died in her home on October 2, 2019.  She was 87 years old.  Elaine was born to parents Lester and Lucille Hegele in Melrose Park, Illinois on August 26, 1932.  She moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she attended high school and played clarinet in the band.  Elaine continue her college education at San Diego State University.  It was there she met the one love of her life William (Bill) Lyons; they married in 1951 and remained married for 66 years, until Bill’s death in 2017 in Rockport, Texas. 

Elaine completed a Bachelor and Master’s degree in English with a minor in education. She became a high school teacher and taught 22 years at Los Amigos High School in Garden Grove, California.   Elaine was a student favorite teacher and was noted for not wearing the same outfit on any day for an entire year of teaching.  She loved teaching the writings of Shakespeare, and routinely taught gifted student classes.  She spoke Spanish and occasionally taught an introductory course in Spanish.  Elaine taught all high school levels and was noted for her humor with her students.  She loved being part of extracurricular activities and was always ready for fun.  She a few other daring teachers dressed up at a school dance and did lip-sync to Ike and Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.”  It was a huge hit; the photos of that event linger at that high school today.

Elaine and Bill retired in 1989 and moved to Katy, TX to be closer to her children and grandchildren.  There Elaine used her excellent interior design and artistic skills to decorate their new retirement home. Elaine was active with the Willow Fork Golf Course community and their local book club.  Elaine loved to read and had thousands of books in her home.  Elaine and Bill travelled extensively; to Europe, to the Middle East, to Russia, to Asia, and to Mexico.  She always loved to use her Spanish skills to bargain with local store owns for souvenirs.  Elaine loved to “see” the history of the world in her travels and she was well-read on the history of great European cities. 

In 2008 Elaine and Bill moved to Rockport, TX to be closer to their daughter and enjoy Rockport’s small-town charm and year-round warmth.  There Elaine kept busy with her many hobbies which included; reading, painting, gardening, and her love for her cats.  Elaine kept herself in excellent shape and always dressed and looked younger than she was.  Elaine will be remembered by her family for her unending devotion to her faith in God, her love and devotion to her husband of 66 years, her love for her family, her tireless active lifestyle, her laughter and love for life, and her positive attitude no matter the circumstance.

Elaine was preceded in death by her sister Lucille Miller (Donald), and is survived by her sister Marilyn Berg (Robert), and by her children; Lynda Bohn (Brett), Steven Lyons (Ann David), and Duane Lyons (Bita).  Elaine is also survived by grandchildren; Staci Henderson (Quang), Travis Schwaer (Allison), Ashley Compton (Sam), Lauren Nowotny (Mike}, David Lyons (Lindsay), Rachael Thornton (Lance), Rebecca Krebs (Aaron), Brett Bohn Jr. & Blake Bohn and by great grandchildren; Khyle & Jade Danhach, Sophie Henderson, Lyla & Cadence Compton, Tien & Lilan Henderson, Brooklyn, Parker & Rhett Thornton, Ella Hubbs and Waylon & Ardon Krebs.

A celebration of Elaine’s long and healthy life will be held at 2304 Lakeside Court, Rockport, Texas on October 19, 2019 at 2 pm in the afternoon.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society and Adoption Center of Rockport/Fulton, 1308 Myrtle St, Fulton, TX 78358 or the First United Methodist Church of Rockport, 801 E. Main St, Rockport, TX 78382.

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