Born in Boston, the daughter of the late Myra (Smith) Benham and George K. Benham, Lois grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts graduating from Somerville High School. She went on to receive a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Simmons College in Boston. She enrolled in a master’s program in chemistry at Penn State University, where she met her future husband, Ralph Tykodi.
Lois and Ralph married in 1955 and spent 10 years in Chicago, welcoming children Paul and Laura. The family moved to South Dartmouth in 1965 where Lois has resided since, and where her third child Scott was born.
Lois completed teacher certification and worked as a reading and math skills specialist at Dartmouth Middle School for 8 years. After “retiring” from teaching, Lois worked part-time in the children’s department at the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Dartmouth for 25 years, and she also volunteered at her local library. She retired again at the age of 89. At various times in her life, she was an active member of the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, the YWCA and the League of Women Voters.
Lois was an avid reader, she loved gardening in her yard, traveling, and doting on her cats. Most of all, she cherished the time shared with her loving family and friends.
Lois is survived by her son Paul D. Tykodi (Beth), her daughter Laura L. Tykodi (Marc Chouinard), her son Scott S. Tykodi (Gunjan) and her grandchildren Arin, Daniel, Devin, Jack, Margaret and Ryan.
A visitation for Lois will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Road, Dartmouth.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Southworth Library, 732 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth, MA 02748 (Make check payable to Town of Dartmouth and place Special Gifts on memo line) or Habitat for Cats, PO Box 79571, Dartmouth, MA 02747.
For online tributes, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com
