THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412230448
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH, N.H. LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Catherine ``Katie'' MacPhee Lyons, 88, of 346 Pleasant St., the Mark H. Wentworth Nursing Home, and formerly of 122 Islington St., died Saturday, Dec. 17, 1994.
She was born in Mabou Harbor, Nova Scotia, Canada on Oct. 12, 1906, the daughter of the late Angus and Christina (Beaton) MacPhee. Educated in Canada, she remained a Canadian citizen, though she lived in Portsmouth for over 46 years and was a communicant of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
She is survived by her husband, Martin J. Lyons, whom she married 63 years ago; her sons, John E. Lyons and his wife, Maureen, of Portsmouth, and Gerard F. Lyons and Sybil Adams of Cerrilas, N.M.; a daughter, Teresa Marie (Lyons) Koontz of Chesapeake; a sister, Annie Campbell of Detroit, Mich.; her grandchildren, John E. Lyons Jr. and his wife, Mary, Lelia C. (Mrs. Patrick) Lambert, Bridget E. Lyons, Kara A. Lyons, Megan C. Lyons, Kara Lee (Mrs. Nelson) Castro, Laura M. (Mrs. James) Castner, David R. Koontz Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, Christine E. Lyons, Raphael Lyons; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours were held from 9 a.m. until the funeral Mass Monday morning at 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception by the Rev. Leo Gagnon. Jim Giambalvo and James Brighentti were acolytes, and Edmund Cokely was crossbearer. The deceased's grandchildren, John and Mary Lyons, Kara Lee Castro, Laura M. Castner, Kara Lyons and Bridget Lyons, served as escorts to their grandmother's casket, and placed the funeral pall on the casket. The readings were given by the deceased's grandson, John E. Lyons Jr. and grandniece, Shauna Daly. The Prayer of the Faithful was read by Mabel Seewald. The eucharistic gifts were presented by the deceased's great-grandchildren, Clara Lyons and John Lyons III, and the deceased's grandniece, Sarah Kurpiel. Thomas P. Ahearn was lector. Mayor Eileen Foley was seated on the altar. Marjorie Scully was organist and Mary K. Leonard was soloist. Following communion, the deceased's granddaughter, Laura M. Castner, read a poem, while her husband, James Castner, read a letter written to the deceased written by Nancy Hanscom, a Wentworth Nursing Home nurses aide. The deceased's niece, Maureen Daly, read the reflection following ``O Holy Night,'' the meditation hymn.
A delegation from the Wentworth Home attended the funeral Mass.
Burial followed at Calgary Cemetery, with Rev. Gagnon conducting the committal prayers. Bagpiper Eric Colen played ``Amazing Grace'' as a musical tribute following the committal. Bearers were James Quirk, Eugene Campbell, David Koontz Jr., Jack O'Connell, Robert Hill and James Castner. Honorary bearer was Clifford Hall.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Mark H. Wentworth Nursing Home Caregivers Lounge, 346 Pleasant St., Portsmouth, N.H. 03801.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB