Florence E Lyon (Castle)

Florence E. “Pat” Lyon (Castle)(Kishbaugh)

Florence E. “Pat” Lyon (Castle)(Kishbaugh) of Ridgway, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Saturday, September 15, 2018. Her strength of spirit will be deeply missed by family, friends, and her church.  To her family, she was known as “Florencee”, but to many others she was “Pat”, a nickname that stuck with from her early years in school.  She was born on January 3, 1952 in Longmont, CO while the family lived in Erie, CO.  She was the youngest of 9 children and the last surviving member of her siblings.  She took the titles of wife and mother early in life, marrying Terry Kishbaugh on August 25, 1968 where they resided in Ridgway.  To this union came three sons who survive both parents.  Terry was tragically lost to the Riverside slide on Red Mountain Pass on February 10, 1978.  Her dedication to her sons remained her top priority from that point on.  Soon, she met James (Jim) Lyon, grew very close and spent several years together before they were married on November 18, 1992 in Laughlin, Nevada on the Colorado River.  Jim and Pat remained in Ridgway for the remainder of their time together where they raised the boys and later, spent many days with the grandkids and family.

Pat had many roles and passions in life. She worked as needed, but focused always on her sons, her husband, her grandkids, the rest of the family, and her church.  For years, she carried the load for many, then gave it to the Lord as part of her spiritual maturity.  This was seen by her pastor and was a part of the many discussions they had on life.  She taught Sunday school and vacation bible school at church.  She was very passionate about certain aspects of her life, too.  Walking was truly a passion.  She wore out many shoe soles in and around the trails and roads surrounding town and the San Juans.  Very rarely did she miss a day without being outdoors and the splendor that surrounded her.  Many days were spent camping, fishing, and at hunting camp helping Jim and the boys pursue the things they loved to do.  Then, there were the rocks.  Pat would collect stones wherever she was, whether at the family mining claim or a fishing hole, or just exploring in the Jeep with Jim.  In fact, there were times that Jim would tell her to quit loading the back of the Jeep with rocks or she was going to break the springs!  Her collection was vast and interesting, and something she was proud of.  Traveling also extended to the four corners region and was something she and Jim enjoyed, going to places like Ignacio and Towaoc.

Florence was preceded in passing by siblings Margie, Paul, Emmitt, Betty, Peggy, Fred, Johnny, Harry, and her parents.  She is survived by her husband, Jim Lyon of the family home, her sons, John Kishbaugh (Shannon), Wade Kishbaugh (Kindra), and Adam Kishbaugh (Angie), stepdaughter Teresa Lehigh (Lance), and stepson Greg Lyon.  Grandchildren include Veronica, Katrina, Dylan (John); Darian, Kaylin, Cheyenne, Lindsey, Carter, Clayton (Wade), Carver, Castle, Blake, Preston (Adam), Logan and wife Rebecca, Landon, Tara (Teresa), Lindsay, Tyla (Greg).  She was also blessed with 7 great grandchildren.  A memorial service to celebrate the life of Pat will be conducted on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Ridgway Community Church at 11 a.m.  with food and fellowship to follow.

Walk tall as the trees, live strong as the mountains, be gentle as the spring winds, keep the warmth of the summer sun in your heart, and the great spirit will always be with you ~ Proverb