Dorothy Rogers Lyons
BEULAH, MI. – Dorothy “Dee” was born raised and married on the Thrushwood Orchard Farm. She was the third child of four to Augustus II and Agnes Rogers. Curtis, the eldest, Addie Jane was second, Dee, then Augustus III.
At the age of 17 Dee graduated from Benzonia High School with valedictorian honors. Her parents then agreed to her attending Oberlin College as an English Major. She packed up one suitcase and boarded the morning train in Benzonia and headed off on her first big adventure alone. At the end of her first year at Oberlin she decided to enter into pre med and transfer to University of Michigan to become a doctor. She did attend UofM but her plans changed from becoming a doctor to a medical technologist after meeting Jim Lyons. They met at her sorority house Alpha Chi Omega. He waited tables there. He invited her to the medical ball for a first date. “The Bells Rang” she said after their first dance. Jim asked her for her hand in marriage three weeks after that. They married at Thrushwood Orchard on Sept 7, 1940.
Jim and Dee suffered through at least seven miscarriages before seven successful births. The second child James (Jimmie) died at the age of six from Polio. This event left a life long hurt but deepened their love for one another and those around them.
Dee was not only a dedicated wife and mother but furthered her education obtaining a Realty Brokers License and studying Chromosome research at Northern Michigan University.
After 40 years living in Marquette, MI. Jim and Dee moved back to Beulah, MI to reside over the bluff from the Orchard and built their home on Crystal Drive.
The final 30 plus years of Dee’s life were filled with family gatherings and events infused with all that she loved. Like watching the ever changing moods of Crystal Lake, sunrises and sets, feeding wild animals especially “Foxy” and “Kitty Cat” and all the hummingbirds and gold finches, chickadees, cardinals etc… sitting by roaring fires both inside and outside in the fire pit, cheering on the Green Bay Packers or U of M football team, completing daily crosswords puzzles and knitting endless sweaters or baby blankets.
Dee was instrumental in fundraising and setting up events related to the renovations of the Mills Community House in Benzonia.
Dee was considered the hostess with the mostest. Daily celebration at four o’clock included “happy hour” when the wood pecker bird clock pecked. Table was often set for at least 14 people.
Jim often commented “She has one speed and that is full speed ahead.” To his dismay she would rarely sit down. Dee lost her beloved husband in Aug 2013. She remained at Crystal until the following May, needing caregivers and entered into Orchard Creek Assisted Living.
She met her Lord peacefully on September 2, 2014 and rejoined her son and husband in eternity. Her family and friends will miss her dearly but are comforted knowing she lived a very full and loving life and has returned to her beloved.
Dee is survived by her children Elizabeth (David) Neiger, and Cynthia (Michael) Rossmeisl, Scott (Debi) Lyons, Kenneth(Janice) Lyons, Thomas Lyons and Jeffrey (Debbie) Lyons and her 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
The Lyons family would like to extend a special thank you to the Orchard Creek Staff for the wonderful care they provided Dee.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00PM Sunday September 7, 2014 at Benzonia First Congregational Church. Burial in Benzonia Twp Cemetery. Those desiring may make donations to the Mills Community House (in the memo line indicate Thrushwood Fund.) or Michigan Hospice. Arrangements by Jowett Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Frankfort & Benzonia.