Dolores Anne Lyons, 91, of Ipswich, died peacefully, Saturday August 12th 2023. Honoring her wish, she remained in the comfort of her home until her final hours, surrounded by family and friends. Born 1932 in Somerville, MA, she was the loving daughter of Anne M. and Joseph F. Lyons.
Dolores was a graduate of Malden Catholic Girls School. She then went on to study Interior Design at The Chamberlain School on Marlborough Street, Boston MA, attended Essex Agricultural & Technical Institute, where she studied Home Grounds Improvement, attended Salem State College, where she studied Spanish, English Composition, and World History Civilization, and was a self-taught En plein-air oil painter having exhibited at Zumi’s Coffee, Ipswich, MA. Her first career in 1950 was working at the Headquarters United States Army Caribbean, Fort Amador, Canal Zone Panama, Office of the Commanding General, as a distribution clerk entrusted with the discrete handling of classified and unclassified information in the Military Personnel Division of the Adjutant General’s Section directly under Lieutenant Colonel W.D. Meeks, Assistant Adjutant General. The Colonel wrote of Dolores, “I have found her to be loyal, faithful and punctual. Her work has been very satisfactory at all times, and she has shown remarkability to adjust herself to ever-changing conditions. She has a pleasant personality and gets along well with her fellow workers.”
After her career with the Army, Dolores returned to the United States to marry and have her Family. She then went on to work for the Somerville District Court, as an Administrated Assistant in the Probation Department, for 28 years. In retirement, she worked at The Best of Britian shop in Newburyport, MA. Her passions in life were music, film, the arts, theatre, museums, fashion, and traveling, especially to Panama where she once lived. Being an avid lover of literature, history, politics, animal welfare, and social justice, she was also a firm believer in education, saying, ‘It is never too late”.
Dolores was drawn to the ocean, especially her sacred Crane’s Beach where she was an ardent swimmer, specializing in the breast and backstrokes, always in her swim cap. She was a volunteer lifeguard for 16 years at Chair 6 on Crane’s Beach. She was a tour guide at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA, the Spencer-Pearce-Little Farm in Newbury, MA, and a volunteer at Rosie’s Place in Boston. She was a philanthropist, donating to many charities and organizations.
As a single Mother, Dolores worked hard to ensure her five children were cared for. She loved them dearly. Ms. Lyons is survived by her son Richard M. Haas (partner Kristen Verdeaux) of Portsmouth, RI; son Robert J. Haas (partner Ginger McKay) of Reading MA; son Kenneth Scott Haas (partner Heidi Hill) of Ipswich, MA; daughter Nancy A. Haas (partner Todd Myers) of Ipswich, MA; her Grand Dog Wyatt Earp of Ipswich; Grandson Richard M. Haas, Jr. (partner Susan Zeller) of Hazlet, NJ; four additional Grandchildren, three Great Grandchildren, and one Great, Great Grand Child. She was predeceased by her daughter Diane Haas in 2016, husbands Ralph K. Haas, Jr., father of her five children, Francis X. McHugh, and the love of her life Kenneth F.C. Latham in 1993, of Ipswich formerly of England.
In the later part of her life, she was often seen bombing around town in her blue, II Cool Smart Car, sporting her yellow beret, waving hello enthusiastically, on her way to reading her beloved New York Times at her favorite Coffee Shop.
Dolores led a unique life, with passion and enthusiasm, and will be missed by many. A true maverick, with a great disposition and personality.
Services private. In lieu of flowers or donations, her wish is, please Be kind to one another.