Frances C. Lyon, dedicated volunteer
Frances Chaffee Lyon, 92, passed away Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Millsboro. Born in 1931 in Erie, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Frank and Nora Chaffee. She and her husband George retired to Lewes after residing for 30 years in Doylestown, Pa.
Frances was a graduate of Andrews School for Girls in Willoughby, Ohio, outside Cleveland. After graduation, she was employed as an executive secretary to the presidents of two insurance companies. She then became executive secretary to the vice president of research at American Meter Co. in Erie, Pa., where she met George. She continued to work for American Meter Co. in Philadelphia, Pa., after marriage and until the birth of her first child. She returned to work after her children were older, most notably as executive secretary to the director of special education for Central Bucks School District in Pennsylvania. This position involved additional duties including GED testing of prisoners at the Doylestown Prison and patients at the Eastern State School and Hospital in Bucks County, Pa.
After her retirement in Delaware, Frances was a founding organizer of the Cape Henlopen Food Basket, secretary for the Friends of the Lewes Public Library, treasurer of the United Methodist Women, and a regular volunteer at Conley’s Church Soup Kitchen and Thrift Store. Known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “Gammy,” she was an avid reader, and an excellent gardener and cook. She recently sold her home in Lewes, where she lived for almost 25 years.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, George Powell Lyon. Her surviving family members include daughters, Janette (Scott) Benjamin, Laura (Paul) Gibbons and Pamela (Peter) Lyon Kandora; grandchildren, Allison (Ben), James (Samantha), Kirsten, Sarah (Brandon), Wesley (Brittany), Acadia and Kai; and great-grandchildren Finley, Cameron and Marc.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mrs. Lyon’s memory to Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes, DE 19958; or Delaware Hospice, delawarehospice.org/donate.
Visit Mrs. Lyon's Life Memorial webpage and sign the online guest book at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
