Jeannette Marie (Manade) Lyons

Jeannette Marie Lyons nee Manade, 94 years young, went to the Lord surrounded by her family on Sunday September 18, 2022.

Beloved wife of the late Gerald F. Lyons, Sgt. CPD.Loving mother of  Gerald (Lori), Louise (Jack) Purdy, Jim, Ret. CFD, (Debi), Michele (Kevin) O’Malley, Grace (Brian) Beck.

Proud Grandma Jay of Jack, Madeline, Daniel (Jane), Becky, Tim (Lorie), Regina (Dave), Audrey (Joshua), Aimee, Ellen, Kevin, Jacqueline, Jennifer, Jessie, Julia, and Jillian.

Dear sister of the late Ed (Pat), Grace (Ben) Zmuda, Jeanne (Mike) Brandson, and Bob. Sister in-law of Pat Manade, the late Therese (Ed) Trouard, Angela (David) Schippers, Thomas V. (Marian) Lyons, John Lyons and Joseph (Agnes) Lyons.

Fond Aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Jeannette was born during the Great Depression, the fourth child of Edward and Jeanne Manade, who recently settled into Chicago’s French enclave near Notre Dame de Chicago Parish where she attended the parish school.  At the start of World War II, Jeannette watched her older brother and other young men enlist and the women in her family also joined the war effort.  As a student at St. Mary’s High School for Girls, the war would overshadow much of her life at the time.  She later enrolled at Loyola University of Chicago where she enjoyed being an active member of the Glee Club.  Jeannette started her career in an administrative role quickly rising to Executive Secretary while sharing an apartment with her sister.

Eventually, she was introduced to a handsome police officer named Jerry Lyons, not long after which they celebrated their marriage at the Graemere Hotel in Chicago.  The newlyweds would settle on the northwest side of Chicago in Our Lady of Victory Parish, where her husband’s family were founding members. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom until tragedy struck leaving her widowed with five young children.  She worked hard many years supporting her family and making ends meet as a single working mom long before the phrase was coined.  As a role model, our mom was a true warrior queen. 

She found tremendous satisfaction knowing her children found happiness in their lives and with their spouses, who she also loved dearly.  In her later years, her greatest joy was spending time making countless memories with her family.  She especially treasured developing a unique and close bond with each of her fifteen grandchildren as their proud Granma Jay.  Jeannette was and remains the touchstone of her entire family, the “crème de la crème!”

Visitation Friday September 23, 2022 from 9:30 AM till time of prayers 11:00 AM at M J Suerth Funeral Home, 6754 N. Northwest Highway, Chicago. Funeral Mass 11:30 AM at St. Juliana Church 7201 N. Oketo, Chicago.

Interment All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials appreciated to Catholic Charities at www.catholiccharities.net/donate

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