Janet Lyons

Janet Lyons, née Smith, of Middletown, DE and formerly of Frenchtown, NJ and Scituate, MA passed away on April 3, 2022 at the age of 81, just 99 days after the loss of her loving husband, Richard “Dick” Mitchell. Janet is survived by her children Kristin (Anthony) Mossa, Polly (Pat) Ross, Billy (Tammi) Lyons, Kelly (Tom) Vogt, Patrick (Amy) Lyons, Dick’s daughters Pat (Stan) Klos and Barbara (Ernie) Hardcastle, fifteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, her sisters Carolyn (Joseph) Roper, Mary Linda (Rick) Read and many many nieces and nephews. Janet was predeceased by her parents Mary Powers and Henry Smith and her siblings Barbara Grask, Henry Smith, Paula Bletzer, Fred Smith, Peter Smith and Michael Smith. Janet was born and raised in Brighton, MA. At 17, she joined the order of the Sisters of the Holy Cross and served as a nun dutifully for 10 years. During this time, she worked on her bachelor’s degree and graduated from Boston College in 1970. She went on to start a family with her first husband and raised their five children in Livingston, NJ. She then started her own graphic design business before entering the travel industry where she remained for the balance of her career, later retiring from American Express Travel. She always supported those who took unique paths in life and she was also a fervent supporter of women’s empowerment. She accepted people for precisely who they were and encouraged others to do the same. She broke through societal norms by challenging the women who worked with her to excel in their careers and strive for more. She was an avid reader, an artist and often penned letters of support and encouragement to friends and family. She created a wonderful space for conversation in her home where everyone could ‘sit soft’ and enjoy boisterous banter and often uproarious laughter. These conversations were the foundation of her and Dick’s deep-seated connection with all of those they loved and cared for, where joy, compassion, humor and wisdom melded into enjoyable and memorable gatherings. She was lucky enough to find true love and adventure in her husband Dick. There was nothing they loved more than traveling and visiting loved ones far and near. She was a “force” and will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to know her wit and charm. She will be laid to rest in Scituate, MA with her beloved brother Michael. Services will be held there at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Janet M. Lyons to Seasons Hospice Foundation, 6400 Shafer Ct. Suite 700, Rosemont, IL 60018 or online by clicking here.

Janet Lyons

April 30, 1940 - April 3, 2022