Janet Lyons
April 30, 1940 - April 3, 2022
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.
Nicole Roper
Aunt Janet was the most amazing person, so smart, so funny and so classy. I will miss her stories and how she made us laugh. Rest In the sweetest peace💔thinking of all of you🥰
Anthony Pennimpede
My thoughts and prayers are with you all… my deepest sympathy.
-Anthony
Ferrel Percival
Kristin and family, I am so sorry for your loss in your Mother. What a beautiful tribute to her in this obituary. I do recall a few things that you had mentioned when worked together. I know that she will be missed and how much you and all children and grandchildren will miss her for always.
My prayers lifted with each of you,
Ferrel Percival
Parksville SC
(Co work of Kristin at Anvil in NYC)
Tom Vogt
I only had an opportunity to converse with Janet twice but, those conversations showed me what a unique and special person she was. Wishing the Lyons Family and Friends peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Charles Ray
My condolences to Janet’s family and friends. I had the honor of working with her early in my career. I will always appreciate her warmth and wit. Rest In Peace, Janet.
Belle Maurer
Polly and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love Belle and Russ
Geraldine & Byron Mooney
We were blessed to have known Janet for only a short time but both myself and my husband thoroughly her company. Always had a smile on her face and told such wonderful stories. I am grateful for having known her,
Annette and Bob Kay
From the moment I had the pleasure of meeting Janet and Dick, and then my husband meeting them a few hours later, we became instant friends. They were kind and funny and we shared many adventures together (such as the day we searched for and found two covered bridges in Brandywine Valley) in the few short years we had as neighbors in Silver Maple Farm, Delaware. Jan was so special to us. She was thoughtful and supportive. She loved to tell us stories about her beloved, large family. We felt like we knew everyone personally, especially when we had the chance to meet them at Dick’s 90th birthday party. Janet was a dear friend to us; we shared laughter and good times! We will miss her very, very much! Rest In Peace my friend; heaven has gained another angel. Your memory will be a blessing to Bob and me.
Love you girlfriend,
Annette Kay
Kathy Garrison
She was truly a “force!” Her presence will be missed. She had a lively intellect and did not hesitate to share her thoughts and opinions. The few times I shared with her, her joie de viviré was contagious. Her family will miss those discussions and debates. Her children displayed a strong, united and compassionate circle of care around her.
Colomba Anzalone and Fam
Our heartfelt condolences, she was a good person!
Dianne Forster
Janet was one of the original “five sistas” of Boston, whom I know through my BFF sista Mary Linda. I have spent much time with each of them. They always spoke fondly of getting old together and sitting on the swing on the porch. I have no sisters, which I might have mentioned one or 100 times. Janet is the one who invited me into the “sista hood.” I know Janet is sitting on the front porch of Heaven with Barbara and Paula and will welcome me when I get there.
Debbie Luniewsky
I feel blessed to have known Janet. She always had a smile and many positive thoughts. Her discussion about the nunnery was enlightening.
Jane Lehman
Charlie and I always said Janet had the best smile and greatest laugh ! We will miss Janet and Dick and are happy to have great memories of so many good times together. I’m sure they are dancing together again.
Ann Marie Cerciello
Dear Kristin, Polly, Billy, Kelly, and Patrick —
Such a loving tribute to your Mom! For over 40 years, Janet and her 5 beloved children have had a corner of my heart. Prayers for you and your families.
Ken Sebastian
Janet, you were a real fire and I had interesting conversations with you which were always enlightening and enjoyable. Rest In Peace with your love Richard!!!!
Paula Choa
My condolences to Janet’s family. I’m sure she will be missed by you and so many others too. Janet was unique and a gift to all who knew her. She was in my book club and she always challenged us and entertained us. Janet truly was a very special lady.
Paula Choa
Eric Thorne
So very sorry to hear. My deepest condolences. I hope that the happy memories you have of your mom will carry you through this difficult time.
Dana Gianfrancesco
So sorry for your loss. Jeff and I have such fond memories of your mom. Sending love and prayers to you all.
Dana and Jeff Laster
Patty Jones
What a beautiful life story❣Our condolences to all who loved her.
Brian and Patty Jones
Paul & Jean Moriarty
Paul and I are lucky enough to have shared in the wit and charm of both Janet and Dick. Feeling blessed that our paths crossed. Our sincere sympathy and prayers to her family all of whom welcomed us as friends of Janet and Dick.
Martin Mould
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Janet. My warmest condolences to the Smith family, especially to Carolyn, and in-laws and friends. Growing up in Brighton as the kid brother of a friend of Janet’s and Carolyn’s, I got to know and see them both through the growing years, and I was very fond of them. Both of them were always very nice and kind to me. Janet especially always took enough time and effort to make me, as the kids say today, feel seen. I was very shy and bashful, but Janet was someone, a girl even, who could and did make me feel comfortable enough to talk to and joke with – she was so witty and lively and warm-hearted! I have always treasured having known her and Carolyn and always will. Rest in peace, dear Janet. Surely your memory will be a blessing.
Mary Chick
So sorry to hear this news. I have fond memories of working with Janet and Dick in the 90’s. I took Dick on many a sales call. Our customers loved him! Janet was truly a force and always met every crazy deadline with grace and humor. Beautiful souls. May they Rest In Peace.
Sandy Bernard Wyllie
We are so sorry for your loss. Aunt Janet was always so welcoming and kind. We didn’t get to see her often, but her joy of life and love of family was obvious. She will be missed.
Janna Knox Bardazzi
Dear Polly, Kristen, Billy, Kelly and Patrick and family,
We send you our deepest condolences in this difficult time. What fun memories I have with Janet and Dick when they generously invited me to accompany Kelly on a 4-day road trip from Paris to Avignon, France. We drove through cities, big and small, and savored every moment spent in the Burgundy and the northern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes countryside and while visiting the region’s small villages. What a treat! In the evening, there was always laughter, good conversation and great wine – Dick and Janet were truly “bon-vivants” and very special.
Thank you for these wonderful memories! 💖
We wish you comfort and peace in this time of sorrow. We are with you in thoughts and prayer.
With love,
Janna and Stefano Bardazzi
Fribourg, Switzerland
Sister Joan Carusillo
My friendship with Janet began about 60 years ago when we were serving at Joseph’s Orphanage in Washington DC. She was a delightful, witty, and joyful friend with whom I stayed in contact over the years. I had the joy of meeting with her several times in West Palm Beach in recent years when she visited her son and I was caring for my parents. May she now be enjoying eternal happiness with God and may God’s comfort and peace be with you, her family. With deepest sympathy and prayer, Sister Joan
Sister Alice Condon, CSC
Janet was a dear friend. We taught together at Blessed Sacrament School, Washington, D.C., in the 60’s. At one point she jokingly said to her 6th graders, “Ask not what your teacher can do for you, but what you can do for your teacher.” This was when JFK was in office. I send my deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Alice Condon