Judith Eleanor Lyon's Obituary
Judith Eleanor Lyon
April 4, 1949 – April 21, 2023
Judith Eleanor Lyon, known as Judy, Jude, or Tutu to her friends and family, passed away peacefully at her beloved “paniolo” home in Ainaloa, Hawaii on Friday, April 21st, 2023. She was 74 years old.
Jude lived an amazing and adventurous life.
Born in Hawthorne, California, she grew up in the Topanga Canyons, just north of LA, in the Malibu mountains. She married her childhood sweetheart, Christopher Edward Berger, of Alta Dena, California, and had two children, Christopher Edward Berger II, and Kirsten Lee Bolton. Together as a young family they traveled much of the United States in a VW Bus.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley while raising her two young children. Shortly after graduation, the family moved to Alaska and homesteaded on the Kenai Peninsula. Jude spent over 35 years in Alaska but moved and traveled frequently over the years within her “golden triangle” of Alaska, Hawaii, and Seattle.
At age 49 with only a backpack, she set off to travel the world, to Thailand, then across the European continent, notably Italy, France, Switzerland, culminating with her 50th birthday in Spain and Morocco. A few years later she visited Costa Rica. No matter where she went, she formed life-long friendships.
Of all the places visited, she loved Hawaii the most. Her dream of retirement there became a reality in 2012. With an ESL certificate, she taught English to children who adored her at the Waldorf School in Pahoa, HI for the last decade of her life. It was the longest she ever lived in one place.
Many happy years were spent hosting friends and family on her lanai with laughter, music, painting, pupu’s, and contemplating the world’s problems and the meaning of life over cocktails.
Preceded in death by her father Bill Lyon, mother Geraldine Anderson (Shepperd), stepfather John Randolph Anderson, and son Christopher Edward Berger II.
Survived by her sister Nyla Lyon, brother John “Randy” Anderson, Aunt Mary Nixon, daughter Kirsten Bolton, son-in-law Sean Bolton, granddaughter Rachael Bolton, and her beloved Chihuahua Kaleo.
Jude will be missed by so many. She was a bright burning light in this world. Her smile and laughter will live on in the memories and hearts of those who loved her; forever changed for the better because of her. She lived her life intentionally and fully.
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