Diane G Lyons

On Wednesday, October 7, 2026 God freed Diane (Chase) Lyons, 85, from her devastating Alzheimer’s disease by taking her home to be with Him.

Born on July 11, 1941 in North Conway, New Hampshire, she lived in Laconia until her family moved to Stratford, Connecticut in June 1952 when she was 10 years old. Diane often reminisced about riding horses bareback during those New Hampshire years.

Her early years in Stratford included being a “twirler” in the Wooster Junior High and Stratford High School bands. She also played the lead role of Mildred in the local Pilgrim Players’ staging of “Kiss and Tell”.

On Sunday, September 29, 1957, at the beginning of her Junior year at Stratford High, Diane became a Born-Again Christian. A few days earlier she had met her husband-to-be, Tom, who a couple of days later asked her if she would like to go to a Billy Graham outdoor meeting with him and a group of kids from church. She agreed. As she describes it, she had never heard the Gospel presented so clearly and convincingly. Tom left about 10 days later to begin his enlistment in the Air Force, so their three-year courtship was primarily via snail mail and land line phones. During those three years Diane completed high school and one year of college before they married on August 13, 1960.

After his discharge from the Air Force they settled back in Stratford and started a family. For the next few years Diane concentrated on being a loving stay-at-home mom and, influenced by her mother, gained an interest in gardening. It soon became clear she indeed had a green thumb! Of course, she also was active in their local church.

However, in the early 1970s they felt a desire to move farther away from the big city life style. Diane had claimed Psalm 37:4-5 as her life verses: “Delight thyself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act.” So, in 1972, when the girls were 6 and 10, they purchased 30 acres in Brookfield, Vermont which included a log home, hay field, pastures, a barn and two horses (a Morgan mare and her untrained 4-year-old half Tennessee Walker, Comanche)!

Within two weeks after moving in, the “herd” was increased by two ponies and the fun of country living began. The next twelve years were full of adventures. They soon constructed a ¾ acre recreational pond that became a great place to meet for picnics, swimming and boating. Diane trained Comanche and a few other horses. She formed a much needed 4H horse club that was enjoyed by several of the girls in town. And can you imagine turning an avid gardener loose on thirty acres? Gardens everywhere! She became an active member of the nearby Randolph Garden Club. The family soon joined a small Bible group that eventually became The Baptist Fellowship of Randolph where Diane became involved with the Operation Christmas Child shoe box ministry sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse. Somehow during all these activities Diane found time to complete her Bachelor of Science Degree as one of the first students of the Johnson State College External Degree Program. She taught 3rd and 4th grade at Randolph’s Village school.

In 1984, after their daughters had graduated high school and pursued further education outside of Vermont, Diane and Tom became “empty nestors”. Their “desire” turned toward seeing if Florida might eventually be a good place to someday retire. They rented out their place in Vermont and arrived in Naples on Wednesday, November 7, 1984. Not knowing anybody in town they thought a good place to start would be at a church that had a Wednesday evening gathering. The only one listed in the Yellow Pages was The First Baptist Church where the choir was preparing for a Living Christmas Tree presentation which became a popular annual Christmas event in the community for over 30 years. After Christmas Diane joined the choir as an alto, Tom as a tenor.

It seemed as though every family in Naples had a resident Realtor, so Diane started her successful career as a Realtor in 1985. Her success came much because she was a “people person”. One of her dear friends often tells folks that “Diane talks to everybody, including folks in the checkout line at the grocery store”!

In 1995 it became feasible for them to become “snowbirds”. The first trek north was for 3 months and eventually became 5 to 6 months. Diane (now “Nana”) looked forward to the annual visits of the grandkids and eventually great grandkids who obviously enjoyed Nana and Papa’s pond.

Diane loved her Lord and treasured her family and friends. She was happiest when surrounded by those she loved, sharing laughter, stories, and special moments together. She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her warm and caring spirit, her love of nature and animals, and the lasting impact she made on all who knew her.

Diane is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Tom: her daughters Lisa (Neale) Wilson and Tracy Lyons; her grandchildren Cara, Bethany and Ben (Kassie); her great grandchildren Jason, Jordan, Juliet, Jacob and Paisley; her brother Terry (Deb) Chase, nieces and nephews Tom (Dawn), Meredith (daughter Rosie), Cassie and Jonathan. She is predeceased in death by her daughter Kim Rene Lyons and parents Theron and Consuelo (Baldor) Chase.

A private family gathering will be held on Thursday, October 15. Burial will follow at the Sarasota National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will be held for family and friends at 11:00am on November 7, 2026, at First Naples Church, 3000 Orange Blossom Road, Naples FL.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Diane may be made to Samaritan’s Purse at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/diane-lyons-cape-coral-fl/

Friends are invited to send condolences via the on-line guest book which can be found at www.MullinsCurtis.com.

Mullins & Curtis Affordable Funerals and Cremations, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.