Dorothy Lyon

When war came to the world, Dorothy enlisted in the US Navy where, while stationed in Boston, she reconnected with fellow Hillsboroan Paul Judson Boyd, who had enlisted in the Marines. Following a whirlwind courtship, they married just before Paul was deployed to Guadalcanal.

After the war, the young couple settled in Macomb, Ill., where they started their family together. During their early married life, Dorothy worked odd jobs while putting herself through college to earn a teaching degree and taking care of their growing family. They raised four children: Nancy, Daniel, Mary and Kathy. In 1958 both she and Paul began their long careers as teachers, taking positions in Marcus, Iowa. Dorothy taught second grade, while Paul taught high school science.

Eventually the family moved to Muscatine, Iowa, where Dorothy continued to teach until her retirement in the late 1980’s. Soon after they moved to Muscatine, Dorothy and Paul divorced.

Life as a single woman wasn’t easy for Dorothy because family was always the most important thing in her life. But at the persistent urging of friends and colleagues, she agreed reluctantly to attend a few social events and met Roger Lyon, who was destined to become her second husband after his patient and sincere courtship.

Dorothy Lyon

Dorothy often spoke about Roger as “the love of her life;” their marriage was stable and happy. They lived in Silvis, Ill., until Roger’s untimely death 10 years later. Dorothy remained in Silvis until, after a series of mini-strokes, she was unable to continue living alone.

In 2015 she found new family and friends at the warm and caring Maryhill Manor in Niagara, where she spent her final years visited by family members from near and far. She passed away peacefully on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the age of 102.

Dorothy is survived by her remaining sister, Jane Phillips of Spokane, Wash.; her three daughters Nancy Boyd, Mary Boyd Langlais, and Kathy Boyd Hanover Whitney; her step-daughter Judy Kesselman; 11 grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one step-grandchild; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy was loved by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. Private services will be held at a later date.

The family requests that contributions in Dorothy’s name be sent to honor the wonderful staff at Maryhill Manor whose loving care ensured that her final years were filled with happiness, quality care and peace.

Contributions to her memorial fund can be sent (by check or money order) payable to: Maryhill Manor Staff Fund. Please write “Dorothy Lyon Memorial” on the memo line of the check or money order, so the staff will know it’s for her memorial.

Condolences to the family of Dorothy may be expressed online at www.ortmanfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were made with the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.