Susan W. Lyons

Susan W. Lyons was born in Townsend on Dec. 3, 1948, to J. Clifford and June Wallace. She was the youngest of four siblings and enjoyed an idyllic childhood on their family ranch. In sixth grade, she moved to Stevensville, where she lived until she graduated from Stevensville High School in 1967. She truly cherished both communities and growing up in Montana.

Susan started college at the University of Montana in the fall of 1967, where she met her husband John. They married on Dec. 27, 1969. Susan and John had four children: Anne (Bart) Putnam, William (Meagan) Lyons, Elizabeth (Keith) Savasten and Nick (Laura) Lyons, and enjoyed 54 years of marriage.

Due to John’s career, they moved many times during their marriage and made many friends all over the country. One of the places they called home was Olathe, Kansas, and, while they were living there, Susan was able to attend the University of Kansas. She earned her Master of Arts degree in English in 1990.

Throughout their many moves, Susan was able teach at many different colleges. She had a passion for writing and wrote four children’s books during her lifetime. She was also a talented artist and had too many hobbies to list. She and John retired and returned to Billings. Over the course of her life, she rescued many dogs and cats; she loved chickens and, really, all creatures. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, and passed on her love of animals to her entire family. We will miss her very much.

She is survived by her husband, John; her four children; nine grandchildren; brother John Wallace and sister Diana (Ken) Roberts. She was preceded in death by her parents and older sister Barbara “Binky” Thares.

Services for Susan will be at 2 p.m. Friday, July 12, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., with a reception to follow from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Meadowlark Brewing, 3970 Pierce Pkwy., Billings, MT 59106.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to your local chapter PEO scholarship fund or the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS.org).