Gayla Lyon was a strong, fiery, independent red headed woman who loved art, children, traveling and friends. Gayla passed away on April 1, 2022 while resting comfortably at home with loved ones constantly around. Her last weeks were eased by the tender care of her niece, Myriel Fischer, who she loved like her own children, and her family and friends. Gayla was born on January 17, 1941 in Boise to George W and Lois Gardner Carrico.
She was raised in Gooding, ID, which was always her home base. She had a good childhood with her grandmother, Lena Osborne Leeper, being a strong role model, along with “Doc” Osborne and her cherished father providing a great support system. She married her lifelong partner and love, Kenneth Lyon and they moved to Moscow for school and to have and begin raising their children, Kelly (Alan) Anderson and Kirk (Teresa) Lyon. They lost a second son, Kyle, to SIDS in 1963 and then spent the next 15 years chasing Ken’s career and traveling extensively. Life took them to Oklahoma, Madrid, S. Spain, Newark, Chicago and Wilmington before returning to Boise to finish raising their family. Later, Ken’s work caused them to spend time in Reno as well, but Boise was home.
Gayla studied elementary education and taught as a substitute teacher over the years to share her love of children and learning. She loved art and artists, and was a long time Docent at the Boise Art Museum and included many local artists in her group of friends. She loved introducing children to the depth of life and humanity that art can expose. She also thrived in traveling to new cultures with friends and family, exploring Poland, India, Greece, Australia, China and other places, bringing home art and rugs and stories. She adored her many, many friends, both local and around the country, although her fiery temper could cause ripples. Her parties were always fun and special, where she brought her creativity and energy to maintaining long term 1 relationships. Gayla was a special friend and she loved her children and grandchildren deeply.
Gayla endured three bouts of Lymphoma over the last 25 years and we would like to thank the many healthcare providers, but particularly Dr. Dan Zuckerman, Dr. Alice Forsyth and the team at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center for their talents and care.
Services will be held at the Cana Chapel at the Cathedral of the Rockies on April 29th at 2pm.
Memorials can be made to the Learning Lab, Inc. at www.learninglabinc.org or mailed to 308 E. 36th Street, Garden City, ID, 83714.
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Mickey Angell says
April 15, 2022 at 8:53 amGayla was an amazing woman. We worked together when I was in Beaux Arts and she was a docent at the Boise Art Museum. She was wonderful, fun, intelligent and an amazing human being. We haven’t seen one another in a few years but I know she will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Until we meet again, Gayla.
Monique Smith says
April 18, 2022 at 1:32 pmI had the pleasure of being a docent with Gayla at BAM many years ago. She was quite funny, outspoken, generous and – in short – quite a character. She was also quite collector of “all the things.” We stayed in touch, though less frequently, when I went to work at Learning Lab. She reached out to share some of her many collections with our families here. I will always smile (and sometimes shake my head) when I think of Gayla. She made the world an even more interesting place.