Enid Virginia Emery Lyons Larsen

Enid Virginia Emery Lyons Larsen was born Tuesday, October 1, 1918 in Eugene, Oregon. She passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at the age of 96. Enid was the first child of Lee Earl Emery and Rosalia Ann Rossman Emery. She spent her early years on a farm outside of McMinnville, Oregon and her school years in town. She loved to read and to play the piano. She was a good student and started at Linfield College when she was barely 17 years old. She graduated from Linfield College with a degree in chemistry then moved to Portland with her first husband, Neil Jay Lyons. They had four children – Carolyn, Janet, Ken and Lori. She married Ivan “Larry” Leroy Larsen, who brought his two children, Bruce “Chip” and Susan, into her life. Together they continued raising their six children in the Sellwood area of Portland, Oregon. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing for her family and people in her community. She liked to say she was a farm girl and enjoyed the practical, hands on skills of canning, cooking and knitting. She had a beautiful singing voice, like her mother. She was active in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and PTA. Later she became a Special Education teacher in Speech Pathology in southeast Portland public schools. She was a volunteer at Parry Center, an active Master Gardener, organist at the Portland LDS Temple, and a member of Eastmoreland II Garden Club. Because of her love for animals, especially for her beloved dogs and cats who lived with her throughout her life, she supported the Best Friends Animal Society and any efforts to support and protect animals. Enid was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served as a Primary and Relief Society teacher, organist and visiting teacher. She always had a desire to learn new things. She played in a bluegrass band, went square dancing, learned to play the harmonica, learned to whittle and won blue ribbons for her flower arrangements. When she turned 95 she said, “I still have so many things I want to do!” Enid is survived by her children Carolyn Lyons Are (Raymond), Janet Lyons, Ken Lyons (Margie; children Andy, Sarah and David), Lori Lyons Nuffer (David; children Pete, Christi, Paul, Lisa, Jessica, Laura and Michael) and her step-children Susan Larsen Hansen (George; children Matt and Joe) and Chip Larsen (Jean; children Eric, Craig, Jamie and Dawn). She is also survived by her brother Jim Emery and her sister Nila Emery Boyko. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry, brother and sister-in-law Lee and Berta Emery, sister and brother-in-law Doris and Harold Meyers, sister-in-law Margie Emery (Jim), and brother-in-law Johnny Boyko (Nila). Thank you to the caregivers at Town Center Village who gave loving care to Enid making it possible for her to stay in her familiar surroundings. Thank you to the Sunnyside LDS ward and home teacher Lyn Hutchinson who made her feel at home for the last ten years. Thank you to friends and neighbors who made her life rich and full of love, especially Rachael Kurynny, who, with her husband Justin, stayed a true friend and “granddaughter” through the years and Ella Gibson, who visited and helped her every day for the last few years of her life. A Celebration of Life for Enid will be held on Saturday, December 6 from 1-3 pm at Town Center Village in The Terrace, 8709 SE Causey Ave, Happy Valley, Oregon. If you would like more information, email [email protected]. Please feel free to leave your memories of Enid and condolences on this website. You can also add a favorite photo if you would like. A contribution to your favorite animal rescue (Best Friends Animal Society was one Enid supported) would please her if you want to do something in her honor. Service Information