Obituary: Rita Lyons, Longtime Waltham Educator

The following is from Joyce Funeral Home.

Miss Rita H. Lyons, of Waltham, died Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, at Meadow Green Nursing Home, Waltham. She was 86.

Rita was born in Brighton on Oct. 1, 1928, a daughter of the late William H. and Helena F. (Thompson) Lyons. She was a lifelong Waltham resident and a 1947 graduate of Waltham High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State College in 1952 and later her master’s degree in education from Boston College.

Her graduation from Bridgewater State opened the door to an almost 40-year career as an educator in the Waltham Public School system. She became a reading specialist and taught in almost every school in the city earning the trust, admiration and gratitude of generations of students and teachers.

After her retirement, Rita never let the grass grow under her feet as she became an experienced traveler with friends and fellow teachers across the country and throughout Europe. She also gained many friendships at the Stanley Senior Center on Main Street where she specialized in quilting, ceramics and socializing. Her presence there will be sorely missed.

Rita was the sister of the late William M. Lyons and leaves many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Family and friends will honor and remember Rita’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main St. (Route 20), Waltham, on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 5, from 2-4 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School St., Waltham, where her funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Waltham Council on Aging, 488 Main St., Waltham, MA 02452.