I was born on April 12^th, 1949 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Philip Myles Lyons and Veda Mae Bishop. My father was Chief of Fire Prevention for the city of Winnipeg and my mother was a school secretary in Winnipeg One School Division. We lived in the west end of Winnipeg on Ingersoll St. where I attended Principal Sparling School, Sargent Park School, and Daniel McIntyre Collegiate.

My childhood was a happy one. I was blessed with wonderful parents who instilled a great love of learning and education in me from an early age. My maternal grandmother, Maria Leona Van de Kerre, lived with us and taught me how to make pastry. Education and reading always played a central role in my life. I can remember my father reading me “The Three Little Pigs,” complete with all the silly voices. My mother was a talented storyteller who would weave tales of “Angel Face,” a child who was always in trouble. Although she never wrote down her stories, they inspired a lifelong love of storytelling. When I think of my childhood, my strongest memories are often feelings: I was loved, cherished, and always encouraged.

Growing up, I had many wonderful friends. I participated in the Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute choir and was a member of the Brownies and the Catholic Youth Organization. My lifelong best friend Pat lived on the same side of the street. We weren’t allowed to cross the street, which is how our friendship began. Today, we consider ourselves sisters.

From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to become a teacher. In elementary school, I struggled with reading. When I was in grade seven at Sargent Park School, the school librarian, Mrs. Woods, gave me a copy of Helen Keller’s biography and from then I was hooked. It became my dream to follow in Mrs. Woods’ footstep sand become a school librarian so I could share the gift that she gave me and open up the joy of reading to other kids. I accomplished this goal, earning my Bachelor Certificate in Education and my Pre-Masters in Education. I spent my career as a classroom teacher, a substitute and retired as a school librarian in Pembina Trails School Division, a community where I’ve lived and worked since 1975.

My husband Stewart and I have been married for fifty-three years. We met at the Safeway store on Ellice and Wall where I was working at the time and he came in to meet his friends. Stewart has been an amazing partner and I don’t regret a single minute of these wonderful fifty-three years. Together we have two children, Samuel Philip and Amelia Elizabeth Mollie and two beautiful grandchildren, Carrie-James Mollie Sawyer-Fay and Madelaine Lily McGrath. We are also so grateful for our wonderful son-in-law, John Christopher McGrath, and daughter-in-law, Lindsay Dawn Sawyer Fay.

Stewart and I have been lucky to travel extensively. We have visited the Maritimes, New York City, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, and Cuba just to name a few. Newfoundland will always hold a special place in our hearts – we love the island’s beauty and its friendly people. Our trip to Ireland was also especially memorable and personal as my paternal grandparents immigrated from Ireland to Canada in the early1900s.

When I decided to sign the Endowment Book of Life, I did so because I want my family and granddaughters to know my story. My granddaughters have brought so much joy to my life – I love spending time with them – and this entry will be a lasting memory. I hope to be remembered as a kind and loving person and if I could make any wish for my family in the future, it would be happiness, good health, and contentment. In this time of increasing violence and division, I hope for a future filled with more compassion for those experiencing hardship and difficulty.

My fund is dedicated to children’s literacy. I passionately believe that all children should have the opportunity to access books, to learn, to read, and to enjoy. Through education, perhaps cooler heads will eventually prevail, and the world will find a more peaceful coexistence.

In his book, “The Last Lecture”, Randy Pauch says that having fulfilled your childhood dreams defines your life.  My childhood dreams were to become a teacher, get married and have children. I did become a teacher and then a teacher-librarian which I loved. I was fortunate to meet the love of my life and best friend. We were married and have had lots of great experiences and I could not ask for more. I was also able to become a mother and have been proud to be their mother since the day they were born. They in turn married great partners, and two wonderful granddaughters have been added to our family. I am grateful!

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