Kathleen Lyons

Melbourne Beach, Fla. — Kathleen Elizabeth Lyons, 67, formerly of East Lyme, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, in Melbourne Beach, Fla.

Kathy was born in New London on Aug. 26, 1946, the daughter of the late Charles and Evelyn (Daniels) McIlwain. Kathy graduated from New London High School in 1964 and was a retired U.S. Coast Guard Academy admissions technician.

Kathy was a devoted wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She enjoyed summers in her Vermont home and spending winters in Florida. Her greatest joys were spending time with her granddaughters, cooking, or relaxing on the beach with a good book.

She will be dearly missed by her husband, James F. Lyons; daughters Jennifer (Christopher) Pratt of Burlington, Vt., Margaret (James) Martin of Satellite Beach, Fla.; son Daniel Lyons of Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.; granddaughters Molly and Juliana Martin; sister and brothers Patricia of East Lyme, Michael of Oakdale and Stephen of Naples, Fla.

Kathy was predeceased by her sister, Susan Parent.

A celebration of Kathy’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Black Point Beach Clubhouse, 6 Sunset Ave., Niantic, CT., (860) 739-7414.

Donations may be made to the East Lyme Public Trust Foundation, c/o Carol Marelli, 74 Ancient Highway, East Lyme, CT, 06333. A commemorative bench will be placed along the reconstructed Niantic Bay Boardwalk upon its completion.