Laurie Ellen Lyons

Laurie Ellen Lyons was born to John and Mary Mulligan on November 30, 1963, and called Maryland home for all of her 62 years.

She met Stephen P. Lyons when she was just 16 years old, beginning a relationship that would span nearly five decades. They married on May 1, 1982, and together built a life and family that grew to include three sons and five grandchildren.

From the time she became a mother, Laurie chose to devote herself to raising her sons at home, remaining there until they reached school age. Throughout those years and long after, she also managed the administrative side of the family plumbing business, Lyons & Sons Plumbing. As her boys grew, she remained closely involved in their activities and became a familiar and supportive presence at their youth sports, including taking on the role of team mom.

When her sons reached school age, she began what would become more than three decades with Montgomery County Public Schools. She started part-time as a paraeducator in the learning center at Clearspring Elementary School, working with children with cognitive disabilities. Without a college degree when she entered the school system, she built a career through years of hard work, determination and learning, continually taking on greater responsibilities and moving from the classroom into administrative and leadership positions before ultimately becoming Supervisor of Professional Development for the MCPS Department of Transportation.

Laurie loved spending time at the beach in Fenwick Island, particularly relaxing on the deck of the family beach house and walking the shore searching for “twirly shells.” Her family will fondly remember her famous lemon pepper chicken, freshly vacuumed carpets that no one was allowed to walk on, a remarkable collection of useless knickknacks, her love of Minions, and countless other little things that made life with her unmistakably its own. Of course, against all reason and despite decades of heartbreak, she remained a devoted Washington Redskins fan, even through the name change, which offered a perfect opportunity for a clean exit.

More than anything, her life was woven with the family at the center of it. Being a grandmother brought her a particular kind of joy, and she treasured the time she was given with her grandchildren. As a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, her absence will be felt in ways both large and small for years to come. The memories, traditions, stories, and pieces of everyday life that began with her will remain part of those she leaves behind.

On September 14, 2026, she passed peacefully at home, with those she loved beside her.

She is survived by her husband, Stephen Lyons Sr.; her sons, Stephen Lyons Jr. and his wife, Michelle; Michael Lyons and Emily Diaz; and Christopher Lyons and his wife, Adeile; her grandchildren, Garrett, Katelyn, Layla, Sean, and Rayden Lyons; her mother, Mary Ellen Mulligan; and her sisters, Terry Kinsey and Jennifer Neufell.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Laurie's memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org