Mary Miner Lyons

Mary Miner Lyons, know as Nugget to her Cal friends, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2022 after an eight year battle with a rare autoimmune disease. Mary’s unwavering optimism helped her overcome many medical hurdles over the years. When she passed she was surrounded by her husband, Bud, daughters Katie and Jenny, sister Missy and long time friend Becky Anderson. She maintained a sense of humor and wit to the end bringing comfort to all who were with her. Mary was born on November 14, 1949 in Fresno to Robert and Leola Miner. Being a Miner 49er she was nicknamed Nugget in college and it stuck. She graduated from Bullard High School and then went on to UC Berkeley where she met Irving F. Lyons III, know as Bud. At Cal she and Bud made numerous life long friends who still surround them. Mary followed in her family’s footsteps into education where she was a 6th grade teacher in Danville. She was passionate about teaching and loved her students, as they adored her. In 1975 Mary and Bud were married and settled in Orinda, CA. She is survived by her husband Bud Lyons, her daughter Katie Lyons and her partner Ron who live in San Francisco, her daughter Jenny Wilhite, her husband Riley and three children Whitney (8), Sydney (6), and Tyler (3) who live in Orinda, and her sister Missy Jeffers and her family in Del Mar, CA.

Mary was a first class entertainer. She knew how to throw a spectacular party no matter the size. She loved cookbooks and was always trying out new recipes much to the delight of her family and friends. Her grandchildren, who called her Nana have fond memories of helping her cook in the kitchen. Mary was a dedicated mother who encouraged and supported her daughters in their swimming and water polo careers. Mary spent countless hours at various aquatic events and often hosted pasta feeds for the team and everyone came to expect her famous taco salad at these events. The most amazing talent she had was her gift for playing the piano. She took lessons all of her young life where she reached a level where she easliy could have been a concert pianist. She could “hear” music like her great grandmother and could hear a song and play it by ear immediately. Bud bought her a grand piano which she treasured. Her grandchildren were stunned when she played Mickey Mouse Clubhouse after hearing it only once.

Mary was an entertainer, a talker, a person who brought people together, a wife, a mother, a sister, a chef, a Nana and a friend to many. She will be missed greatly.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family encourages donations to the University of California at San Francisco Rheumatology Depertment in memory of Mary Lyons. They were instrumental in prolonging her life and giving her hope and an iron will to fight her disease. https:// givingtogether.ucsf.edu/ fundraiser/3811427