Shirley Lyons died on July 1 at home under the care of her loving family. She was 89.

Shirley was born on Dec. 7, 1918, to Charles and Aura Jaquette in Fruitvale and was raised on the Jaquette nursery on E 1/2 Road. There, she helped with nursery plants, flowers and the fruit harvest. She took piano lessons, many days practicing eight hours, and performed piano recitals in the Grand Junction area. In her young adult life, she began to give piano lessons through the school system.

She married Raymond Lyons, moved to Collbran and entered the ranching/hunting life, to which she adapted well. She enjoyed being “camp cook” for hunting parties, and, with husband Raymond, helped make family camping and fishing trips some of the family’s most enjoyable memories.

She will be remembered in the small Plateau Valley community as one who touched hundreds of lives with music. She was most patient and calm, supporting any who wanted to practice piano lessons — or violin, guitar, brass, reed or percussion. She leaves a legacy of music appreciation to many. Under the guise of music lessons, many learned the values of life, patience, love, love of God, endurance, understanding and acceptance — Shirley taught the parents as well as the students.

She is survived by her sister Jaqueline Wallace of Houston; children George (Jan) Lyons of Cortez, Colo., Cindy (Larry) Price of Collbran, Shirley Rae (Eddie) Clements of Fruita, Suzanne (Larry) Bellotti of Collbran, Ray Jr. (Becky) Lyons of Hartsel, Colo., and John (Stacy) Lyons of Palisade; 21 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Lyons; brothers Fred, Eddie and Frank; and sister Sylvia.

A memorial celebration of Shirley’s life was held July 6.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 294, Collbran, CO 81624, or to Collbran Congregational Church, P.O. Box 160, Collbran, CO 81624.