Catherine A. Lyons

Partner of Jerome Yates, M.D.; daughter of Margaret Nielsen Lyons and the late Richard C Lyons, Jr; sister of Karen L. Goodman (Steve), Mary L. Stein (late Mark), Melissa Lyons Eyeington, Richard N. Lyons (Sheila), and Jennifer Lyons Greco. Adored aunt of fourteen nieces and nephews and one great-niece.

She was a proud alum of Holy Angels Academy, Niagara University, and SUNY at Buffalo. Cathy held a series of health care leadership positions ranging from the National Cancer Institute, three major academic cancer research institutions (Roswell Park Cancer Institute, James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester, Smilow Cancer Center at Yale University), to a community cancer center in Salisbury, MD. To each of these, she brought both an appreciation for excellence in patient care and clinical cancer research. Her standards were high for all fortunate enough to work with her, and this included her physician colleagues. In 2021, her nursing peers in the Oncology Nursing Society awarded her their highest honor, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also instrumental in forming community cancer networks capable of offering care comparable to the best cancer centers. She served on the faculties of SUNY at Buffalo School of Nursing, University of Rochester School of Nursing, and Yale University School of Nursing.

She was a Major in the United States Army Reserves, Army Nurse Corps. She served on the Board of Trustees of Niagara University. Cathy was as comfortable at the bedside of an ailing patient as she was in meetings with nationally prominent cancer research scientists. She leaves behind a trail of significant contributions to improved cancer care and clinical cancer research.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 on Saturday December 11 at St. Gregory the Great R.C. Church in Williamsville. The family requests that individuals who are not vaccinated against Covid stream the funeral service remotely at stgregs.org. Masks are required for all in attendance at church. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Cathy's memory to The Niagara University College of Nursing, PO Box 2008, Niagara University, NY 14109.