Margaret "Betty" Lyon was born in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. on May 27, 1927 to Andrew and Ella (nee Fleming) Rutter, remaining there throughout her H.S. years. She loved music and played the chimes in the Soo at St. James Episcopal church, attended Interlocken Music Camp, and sang commercials on the radio. As mezzo soprano she especially enjoyed attending the annual Chicago Do-It-Yourself Messiah and was a member of several Gary Church choirs. In Munster, IN. during the 1960's, she sang in community theatre musicals. She also played the piano.

Betty and her husband Robert, who preceded her in death in 1998, were Wheaton, IL residents for fifty years. They traveled extensively, often with Road Scholar, to France, Italy and Germany. They lived several years in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia and twice in London. She was grateful as a "small town girl" that she saw the world. She often looked up for airplanes and imagined herself on her mystery trip.

She had a special love for children and loved to read them stories and play with spinning tops. She was a former teacher's aide for School District 200 in Wheaton, IL. She received her college degree at age 55 from National Lewis University in Evanston, IL. She loved learning things, especially history and was an avid reader likely because both her mother and aunt were librarians. She was curious enough to often check dictionary word meanings.

She embraced life's simple pleasures such as…a cup of tea, watching clouds, sharing plants, tending her flower gardens, refinishing lots of furniture and fixing broken things. She was a very compassionate woman and her family and friends were warm companions and brought her joy. Consoled by the Cross, her absence from fond heart friends will leave a void.

She is survived by a daughter, Melissa Faith Allan of Wheaton; a son, Robert (Norma Bunge) Lyon, also of Wheaton; cherished Granny to Christopher (Tiffany) of Warrenville, IL, and Elizabeth of Alexandria, VA. She is also survived by her brothers, Andrew (Beverly Roper) Rutter of Tucson AZ, and Jack Rutter of Kirkwood, MO. She was a dear aunt of seven.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Gary United Methodist Church , 224 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. Interment will be private at Wheaton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Juna Amagara Ministries , P.O. Box 2384, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137; or to Gary United Methodist Church at the address above; or to the Wheaton Public Library , 225 N. Cross St., Wheaton, IL 60187.