Marilyn Joan Lyons

August 19, 1936 - October 31, 2019

Marilyn Joan Lyons of Clinton passed away Thursday, October 31, 2019 at Park Vista, Camanche, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10AM Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Clinton. Visitation will be from 9AM until the service hour at the Church Tuesday. The Clinton Chapel Snell Zornig Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Rylan and Rory DeValois, Amity Westphalen, Dylan Lyons, Ainsley Vatanasombat and Deven Lyons. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Vens, Bill Killeen, Elvie Hirl, John DeWitt, Jim Timmer and Ed Foster. Burial will be held at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting snellzornig.com. Marilyn was born August 19, 1936 in rural Lincoln Township, Iowa County, Iowa, the daughter of William L. and Mary Catherine Cavanaugh Mask. She attended Reinbeck Schools and graduated from Immaculate Conception High School, Elma, Iowa. After working at St. Thomas Orphanage in Lincoln, Nebraska, she pursued studies at St. Mary's College in Omaha, Nebraska, where she graduated magna cum laude. Her interest in the French language and culture led her to continue studies at the University of Aix Marseille in Avignon, France. Marilyn later pursued her graduate work at the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Illinois as well as at Notre Dame University and Appalachian State University. She taught for thirty-five years at Clinton Community College, where she served in many roles, teaching English, French, Philosophy, Mathematics and counselor. She also initiated and chaired the Developmental Studies Program until her retirement in 2000. In 2004, she was declared an Emeritus member of IDEA. Marilyn married Thomas Lyons, July 1, 1972 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clinton, IA. Together, they enjoyed family, friends, travel, theater, reading and golf. Marilyn was a member of Prince of Peace parish, the Resident Advocate Committee at the Alverno, the Clinton Country Club Auxiliary Board, as well as ISEA, NEA, and NADE. Mrs. Lyons is survived by her husband, Tom, daughter, Mary (Ross) DeValois of Iowa City, sons, Michael (Susan) Lyons of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sean (Michelle McMurray) Lyons and Chrisopher (Amy) Lyons both of Bettendorf, grandchildren, Amity, Rylan, Rory, Dylan, Ainsley, Cerena and Deven; great-grandchildren, Norah, Beck, Ellery and Chloe, as well as brothers Paul (Diane) Mask of Galena, Illinois, John Mask of Erie, Illinois, and Phillip Mask; sisters-in-law, Barbara Mask of Fulton, Illinois and Julie Mask of Erie, Illinois, and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and three brothers. Memorials may be made to the Clinton Public Library.