Ann Horrigan Lyon Hoy

Ann was educated at St. Agnes Academy, and Sweetbriar College in Virginia. Her College experience was cut short with the untimely death of her father, and she returned to Houston to help care for her younger brother. She was presented as an Allegro Debutante in 1952, and married James E. Lyon in 1953. They had three daughters, and Ann spent much of her time involved in various charitable activities. Some of those included the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, The Opera Guild, The Easter Seal Society, and The Kinkaid School. They were Members of the Coronado Club, The Petroleum Club and River Oaks Country Club. They were active in the political arena, and supported many candidates in the early years of the Republican Party in Houston, as well as many national campaigns. She was especially proud of their efforts on behalf of the campaign to elect Ronald Reagan.

Ann became a licensed realtor and had a long and successful career with John Daugherty Realtors where she became a Top Producer. In 1980, she married Matthew Hoy, and together they spent many happy years entertaining friends and family and attending the sporting events and activities of their grandchildren. Ann was also known for her tireless efforts to help and champion those seeking a path to sobriety. Her service work in this area made a tremendous difference, and she touched countless lives. She served on the Board of Directors for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Father Martin’s Ashley, and The Houston Council on Alcoholism. For her efforts, she was awarded the Waggoner Service award in 2004.

Ann was always an animal lover. In her younger years, she and her daughters were very involved in showing American Saddlebred Horses. She always had pets, and her love for her dogs was legendary. She had many breeds over her lifetime, but in her later years, she fell in love with the Italian Greyhounds. She both owned and fostered many dogs of that breed. This love led to her active involvement with the Italian Greyhound Club of Greater Houston, and she derived great pleasure from her volunteer efforts and the special friends that she made through that organization.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Nancy Horrigan Horne McCullough, and her beloved husband of 25 years, Matthew D. Hoy. She is survived by her brother, Joseph Horrigan and wife, Kathy, her three daughters, Dana Lyon, Melissa Lyon Johnson and husband Houston Johnson, and Jennifer Lyon. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Lucian Bukowski (Sommer), Dana Graffagnini (Keith), James Simon (Natalye), Cameron Simon, Elizabeth Simon and Virginia Simon. She also has two step grandchildren, Houston Johnson (Kate) and Alice Carroll Johnson. Ann was thrilled with her six great grandchildren. They are Gage, Grant and Dax Bukowski, and Grayson, Gatlin and Buckley Graffagnini. She joyfully hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for them only a few weeks ago! Other survivors include her beloved nieces, Libby Martin, Catherine Quie, and Erin Savage. She is also survived by her loyal friend and companion, Graciella Hernandez, who has been at her side for more than 25 years. She has many special friends, too numerous to mention, who will miss her greatly.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers are her son-in-law, Houston Johnson, and her grandsons, Lucian Bukowski, James Simon, Cameron Simon and Keith Graffagnini.

Honorary pallbearers are her brother, Joseph Horrigan, and special friends, Robert C. Hewell and Dr. Isaac Montoya.

The memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 28th of April, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

Prior to the service the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Ann’s memory may be directed to The Houston Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, 303 Jackson Hill Street, Houston, TX 77007-7407; The Italian Greyhound Club of Greater Houston, P.O. Box 22311, Houston, TX 77227-2311; or to the charity of your choice.