Anita E. Lyons

Anita E. Lyons, age 81, of Duxbury, MA (formerly of Quincy and Weymouth, MA) passed away after a long illness at home with the love of family surrounding her on February 6, 2023. She was the daughter of the late August and Annie (Hermanson) Johnson along with her 4 brothers, Walter, Harold, Lawrence and Roy.

Anita married her husband Richard in their hometown of Quincy, MA 64 years ago and began raising their 5 children in Weymouth, MA in 1966 before relocating in 1991 to their home in Duxbury, MA.

Anita is survived by her beloved husband Richard Lyons of Duxbury, MA; her children: Steven Lyons of MA, Lynnel Eldridge and spouse John of Plymouth, MA; Cynthia Cummings and spouse Michael of Spanish Fort, AL; Brenda Gallagher and spouse Edward of Weymouth, MA and Michael Lyons and spouse Hope of Plymouth, MA; her cherished grandchildren Amanda, Brian, Matthew, Haley, Zachary, and her great-grandchildren Myles and Silas.

Anita was raised and educated in Quincy Point, MA. Anita continued her education by graduating from the very first Weymouth Evening High School Class of 1978. Anita also attended Barbizon Modeling School classes in Boston, MA which opened a brief path to selling Mary Kay Cosmetics. After raising her children, Anita was employed by Microsonics and Raytheon as a Quality Control Inspector but truly enjoyed working for 14 years as a Duxbury School Cafeteria worker. She was affectionately known by students as the "nice lunch lady".

Anita loved her years of traveling with her husband and family whether it be her early years of camping or to the many countries she visited such as Italy, France, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and her Scandinavian heritage country of Sweden. Her family enjoyed her cardamom bread and cookies she made. Anita will be remembered for her beautiful blue eyes, her caring and passionate nature due to her love for people and a friend to all. She loved to give and receive hugs and to attend all special parties. We will always cherish the handmade cards she made for all occasions. Special bonds of friendships with Nancy Traverse and Marie Archy lasted from her childhood on Harrison Street in Quincy throughout her entire life. She also had her best friend in Mary Ann Cullen of Duxbury, MA. Anita was always optimistic and saw the positive side to all things. Anita was vibrant, spiritual, and artistic. She enjoyed many years of adult coloring and other works of art. She had a green thumb for plants. Anita was a great motivator and was always there for those who needed help and guidance. Her purpose in life was her family which brought her happiness and joy. Anita’s life was filled with music whether self-creating her own morning “Great A Show” waking the house to music and dancing to ensuring a culture of all styles of music to be enjoyed from Dick Dale to Ozzy Osborne, Herb Alpert to Classical.

All are respectfully invited to greet the family on Saturday, Feb 18, 2023 from 9-11am at the C.C. Shepherd Funeral Home, located at 134 Pleasant St, (Columbian Square), S Weymouth, MA, followed by a prayer service at Noon at the Old South Union Church, located at 25 Columbian St, in S Weymouth, MA.  Burial at Mayflower Cemetery in Duxbury, MA will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to the Duxbury Fire Department Rescue Services. Duxburyfire.org