Beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Mary (nee Mullarkey) Lyons passed away on April 27, 2024 at the age of 92. Mary was born in the idyllic village of Glencullen Lower, Bangor Erris, County Mayo, Ireland to the late Patrick and Bridget (nee Munnelly) Mullarkey. The second of eight children, she was the first to come to America, traveling on her own as a teenager to settle in Pittsburgh, PA. She met a charming Kerry footballer, the late Jerry Lyons, at a church novena and they were married for more than 50 years.

Mary will be dearly missed by her children Mary Theresa (Randy), Patrick (Maureen), Hannah, Jerry, Jr (Michele), Noreen, Richard (Regina), and John Lyons; her grandchildren Renee Malta (Frank), Jennifer Hoffman (Scott), Alena King (Ben), Shannon Lyons, Candice Pulkowski, Alyse Jobse (Jason), Zander Lyons, Jeremiah Lyons, Delaney Lyons, Conor Lyons, and Richie Lyons; and her great grandchildren Kaleigh Hoffman, Nico Malta, Allegra King, Giuliana Malta, Lilliana King, Max Jobse, and Shane Jobse. Mary will be fondly remembered by her sister Rose Dervin, her sister-in-law Eileen Mullarkey, her niece Maureen Twigg, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was predeceased by her brothers Michael, Sean, Frank, Pat, Seamus, and Oliver.

An Irish woman through and through, Mary loved to tell stories while sharing a cup of tea. They were often long, usually funny, and always entertaining. Sometimes she'd crack herself up, breaking into a fit of laughter that made it hard for her to finish. Her storytelling, quick wit, genuine caring, and incredible friendliness meant there were always neighbors stopping to sit on the porch with her or friends popping in. (You may have been her favorite if you brought a treat to satisfy her sweet tooth!)

She was such a beloved mother figure to her whole neighborhood that her children's friends not only always asked about her, but also would stop by to see her. Her family meant everything to her. She kept seven kids in line and taught them to be respectful, humble, kind, and grateful. And she made sure they knew they were loved.

As an adored Mema, she was always babysitting for one or more of her grandkids, and she let them get away with things she'd never let her kids get away with. She cheered at their school plays, sports, and dance recitals, and she lit up every time they walked through her door.

Mary loved her Irish Catholic heritage, and her faith was very important to her. She attended church, prayed, and said the rosary, but more than that, she lived her life as Jesus asked – with integrity, grace, mercy, and love.

Family and friends are welcome at the WALTER J. ZALEWSKI FUNERAL HOME, 216 44th Street, Lawrenceville on Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. Jude Parish, St. Raphael Church on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org