Rita Mae Lyons

Rita Lyons was as sweet as she was petite, yet willful and tenacious if the situation commanded. She lived her life in consideration of others and loved without condition. She enjoyed gardening, baking and cooking, learning about flowers and reading the newspaper. She relished her roles as a wife, mother, aunt and grandmother. And a small claim to fame was as a whistler of astonishing merit, able to precisely and prettily whistle entire songs.

Rita Mae Webb was born in Akron, Ohio on May 24, 1937 as the last of four children. She was raised in a multigenerational home with her parents, grandparents and uncle. She attended St. Mary’s in Akron from kindergarten through graduation. She always had a special devotion for the Virgin Mary. She belonged to a high school club that planned events that honored the Blessed Mother. During high school, Rita spent a lot of time in the large and loving household of her best friend, Barbara Lyons. So much time, in fact, that she was affectionately known as “Daughter #5”. (It is important to note that the two older brothers had already left home by this time.)

After graduation, her first job was at Ohio Bell where she worked for six years. After a blind-date, with her best friend’s brother, then a whirlwind eight-month romance, Rita took a leap of faith and said yes to a two-part question proposed by Ed Lyons. Yes, I will marry you, and yes, I will leave my family and settle with you on the West coast.

Before meeting Rita, Ed had already determined he would finish his 20-year Navy career with his final duty station in the Pacific Northwest. Rita and Ed were married on October 21, 1961. This was the beginning of a profound love affair that spanned 62 years. As the wife of a submariner, over the next seven years, they lived in four different states and miraculously welcomed five children into their lives. It may have been these years where Rita’s true strength was born. Ed was away at sea for months at a time, with the first-year clocking only 23 nights at home. Rita certainly lived the motto “Navy Wife, It’s the Toughest Job in the Navy!” She was forever thankful to her fellow Navy wives who generously shared wisdom and camaraderie.

Rita was not an outdoorsy person, but she accompanied Ed on a few hunting trips, endured numerous trailer camping ‘vacations’, packing provisions and preparing food on the camp stove all the while keeping track of five children. As a testament to her good nature, she never complained, and her children thought she liked camping as much as they did.

In 1969, they established roots in Port Orchard, Washington, where she finally could create a permanent nest. They purchased their first home in the Parkwood neighborhood and not long after, started designing and building a home on five acres in an unincorporated area of town, and moved there in 1976. She excelled as a doting mother, supporting her children in various sports and activities, such as Cub Scout den mother, Bluebirds, and CYO parent volunteer. The kitchen was her domain, and she loved planning dinner. Rita had the uncanny ability to have dinner ready to go just as Ed returned from work, ringing the dinner bell promptly at 5:30 thereby commanding everyone to take a seat at the table. As some of her children moved to other states, she was known for her care packages full of thoughtful items and yummy treats. She had an amazing memory for important dates of extended family members, and unfailingly sent greeting cards of well wishes.

Rita attended St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Port Orchard. During her 55 years as a parishioner, she participated in many programs, sometimes taking the lead, often lending a hand. She spearheaded a parish directory and was an active member of the Harmony Club and the South Kitsap Family Kitchen. She enjoyed decorating the Christmas trees at church, and year-round, making flower bouquets from her garden, especially for the Virgen Mary statue in the Chapel.

Preceded in death by her parents, Nell and James Webb, her siblings Jim Webb, Rosemary Johnson, and Helen Beard Plouse. She is survived by her extremely devoted husband of 62 years, Edward Lyons; son Joe, his partner Jamie; son Rick, his wife Jackie; daughter Sheila, her husband Chad, their child Amelia; daughter Joyce, her husband Chris, their children, Trevor, Calvin and Chelsea; and daughter Linda, and her stepchildren Terrin and Justin.

Mom cared deeply for everyone in her circle. Even people she did not know, she was concerned for their welfare and would buy specific items for them. Even now, she is likely caring about your health and would urge you to check your ferritin and transferrin saturation levels (different than standard iron) as hemochromatosis is rather common, symptoms are subtle or nonexistent, and liver disease is fatal.

Rita’s Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at St. Gabriel Church in Port Orchard, with a reception immediately following across the street at Rill’s Life Tribute Center. Preceding the Mass will be a Rosary at 10:30 am.

For those wishing to honor Rita’s memory, please consider: The Wounded Warrior Project or St. Gabriel’s Prepares Baby Boutique (by sending essential items—diapers/baby wipes or donating gently used clothing, infant to 5 years, to support mothers and families).

Live Streaming of Mass Available here: https://www.stgabepop.org/