Lyon, Alma (Christian) 1873-1937

LYON, CHRISTIAN, BUMP

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 8/16/2014 at 15:02:45

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Aug. 9, 1937

ALMA LYON
SUCCUMBS IN
CALIFORNIA
-------------------
Ashes Will Be Brought
To Grinnell For
Burial.

News of the death of Mrs. Alma Lyon at a hospital in Whittier, Calif., at 9:15 p.m. Sunday evening, was received by Mrs. S.J. Pooley early today. Mrs. Lyon had undergone an operation at San Francisco several weeks ago and was thought to be on the road to recovery. Complications arose and she was taken to the hospital about a week ago. Her death resulted from a broken abcess or ulcer in the colon, peritonitis setting in.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. at the Reneker Chapel, Whittier, Calif., conducted by President Ernest Jaqua of Scripps College, Claremont, Calif. The ashes will be sent to Grinnell for burial later this week.

Mrs. Lyon was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George M. Christian of Grinnell, two of Grinnell's most outstanding citizens of their day. She was born in Grinnell July 1, 1873, and attended the public schools and Grinnell College, being a member of the class of 1900.

On February 4, 1914, she was married to A.C. Lyon, an attorney, a graduate of Harvard University, who later was elected to the office of Judge of the Superior Court of Grinnell. They lost one babe in early infancy. Judge Lyon died on May 4, 1929, at Wilmington, Del., while he and Mrs. Lyon were on a trip to the east coast. Mrs. S.J. Pooley is a sister of Judge Lyon and loved Mrs. Lyon as a sister.

As Alma Christian and as Alma Lyon, she was a leader in many of the activities of the community--social, political, athletic and charitable. Seemingly in robust health, a fine, commanding figure of womanhood--she found time to give every worth while movement a vigorous lift--if only in passing. During her husband's lifetime the Lyon home at 1430 Broad street was one of the most hospitable and attractive in Grinnell. She carried the burden of its management easily and joyously--with love and strength to spare to the management of the affairs and household of her aging parents, and to keep them happily in touch with her friends and make them a part of the world she lived in.

Her father, Hon. George M. Christian, was at one time prominent in politics in Iowa. He served the Southern District of Iowa as U.S. Marshal for a term of years. Later he acquired ownership of the Savery and Elliott hotels in Des Moines. Mrs. Lyon, with his wife and other daughters spent part of the time with him in Des Moines during those years. After Mrs. Christian's death Mr. Christian maintained his own home for a time, later residing at the Lyon home, where he died in the spring of 1932.

Her husband, father and mother gone, Mrs. Lyon naturally turned to her two sisters for companionship, and for the past few years she has divided her time between Grinnell and California where they both reside--Margaret, Mrs. Sumner Bump at Loyalton, and Miss Jessie Christian, well-known singer, at La Habra. For the past year she had been at Reno where Mrs. Bump's three children, George, Bonny and Betty, were in school. She was especially devoted to Betty, the little girl she helped nurse through an attack of infantile paralysis a few years ago.

Alma Lyon was a truly noble woman. Sympathetic, tender-hearted and thoughtful. Person after person on the streets of Grinnell today have spoken in appreciation of her friendship, good-fellowship and good citizenship.