Shirley A. Woloschak Lyon

Youngstown - Shirley A.Woloschak Lyon, 90, passed away Tuesday afternoon, December 1, 2020 at Shepherd of the Valley in Poland.

Shirley was born November 17, 1930 in Youngstown, OH, the daughter of the late John and Anna Schweich Breen.

A 1948 graduate of South High School, Shirley received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at Youngstown State University in 1961. She went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University, post graduate studies from Kent State University and her Associate of Supervision and Curriculum Certificate from Westminster College. In 1969, Shirley was honored as a recipient of the prestigious Martha Holden Jennings Scholarship.

Shirley taught second grade at Austintown Local Schools from 1961 until 1968. She then taught special reading until 1971 when she became a supervisor for the Mahoning County Board of Education until her retirement in 1991 after 30 years of educational service.

Shirley was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Kappa Delta Phi. Her professional organizations included International Reading Association, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, Mahoning County Retired Teachers Association, Austintown Retired Teachers Association, and P.E.O. Shirley was a member of the Saxon Club and Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens.

A former member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Canfield, Shirley served on the Vestry as a Junior Warden and chaired the Every Member Canvas Campaign. She was a former member of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Canfield, where she was a Eucharistic Minister to the ill and confined, served on Parish Council, was a teacher for the Parish School of Religion and was chairman of the Social Justice Committee. Shirley later became an active member of St. Luke Roman Catholic Parish, where she served on the Liturgy Committee.

Shirley's first husband, Metro "Zeke" Woloschak, whom she married in 1951, died in 1987. She married her second husband, Dr. William Lyon in 1989 and he died in 2006. She leaves her son, Dr. Michael (Barbara) Woloschak of Canfield; stepdaughter, Barbara (Joe) Lacinek of Amherst, OH; twelve grandchildren, Brian (Shawne) Gerst, Andrew (Jon) Gerst, Bridget (fiancée, Darrell) Andrews, Amy Beth (Nate) Herman, Christian Lyon, Jaclyn (Nick) Peddle, Matthew Lyon, Will Lacinak, Aiden Lacinak, Tara Lacinak, Julia (Ryan) Jasko, and Jake Lacinak; 11 great-grandchildren, Brooke Gerst, Karley Gerst, Evan Gerst, Clara Herman, Connor and Grant Peddle, Bella Jasko, Joey Lacinak, and Rett, Katy, and Danny Lacinak; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Shirley was preceded in death by one sister, Dolores Breenan; and two brothers, Walter Breen and John F. Lynch; and one grandchild, Jamie Lacinak.

Although the family is saddened from Shirley's passing, her love of Christmas gives them comfort as she leaves them at this time of year. Christmas was her favorite time of year and she lived everyday as it if were Christmas Day through her generous giving and willingness to help others. Her greatest joys in life were spending time with family, serving her church, entertaining, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Shepherd of the Valley in Poland for all of the kindness and care shown during Shirley’s time as a resident. They would also like to thank MVI Hospice for their kindness during Shirley’s final days.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held for the family on Monday evening at St. Luke Catholic Church. Private interment will be at Green Haven Memorial Gardens in Canfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests material contributions take the form of donations to either the St. Luke Memorial Fund, 5235 South Ave., Boardman, OH, 44512 or to the American Diabetes Association.

Arrangements are being handled by the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send online condolences to the family.