Emma May Lyon

Onieda- Emma May Lyon, 25, of Oneida and a recent resident of Erwin St, Boonville, passed away in Boonville, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. 

 Emma May was born in New Hartford, on September 12, 1999, a daughter of Christopher M. and Anne F. Risley Lyon. She grew up on O’Brien Road, Forestport, and attended Forestport Elementary School, completing her high school education at Adirondack Central School, where she graduated with honors, with the Class of 2017, earning a regent’s diploma. Following graduation, Emma May furthered her education in General Studies, at Mohawk Valley Community College. She was very gifted in art, particularly in the fields of drawing, painting and art sculpture. Following M.V.C.C., Emma May enrolled on-line in the Academy of Art and University, San Francisco, CA.

 Throughout her school years, Emma May found much joy and satisfaction from participating in extracurricular school activities beginning at Forestport Elementary School, where she participated in a play, AdironJack, which was performed at the Stanley Theater, Utica, the Chess Club, band and Cross Country Skiing and she participated in Woodsmen’s Field Day parades as a wood nymph. 

 Music was at the center of Emma May’s life. During her high school years, she participated in Area All State Vocal Music Competition and in the Adirondack Central School Concert Choir, and Evergreen and in the annual Adirondack High School Musical Productions; Where’s Charley, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Bye Bye Birdie and Guys and Dolls. 

 In addition to her music related activities, Emma May was a member of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H, where she completed a project in government studies. She also attended MASH Camp at Rome Hospital, for two years and enjoyed participating in the village band as a drummer. She greatly enjoyed dancing and for four years participated in Ballet and Tap Dancing and dance recitals. In addition, Emma May was an inaugural member girl’s Adirondack High School Bowling Team. She greatly enjoyed participating in many activites with her boyfriend, Brendan Kelly and her family and her many friends. She always looked forward to fishing from her Kayak, Salmon Fishing and Ice Fishing, especially participating in the annual Lyon Memorial Ice Fishing Derby, held each January on 1st-4th- Lakes in the Adirondack region. She also enjoyed cross country skiing and in participating in Civil War reenactments. 

 During her high school years, her favorite employment was for the Adirondack Summer Recreation program, in Boonville. Following that, she was employed for a summer in the ride department, at the Enchanted Forest & Water Safari, Old Forge. Later she was employed as an aide at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Boonville, and for over two years, as a store supervisor, at Kinney Drug Store, Boonville, before her current employment as a receptionist at Rome Pediatrics. 

 While living in Forestport, she attended St. Patrick’s Church, later becoming a member of St. Joseph’s church, of Boonville and also the Catholic Women’s Club, of Christ Our Hope Catholic Community, of Boonville and Forestport. 

 In addition to her parents, Anne and Christopher, of Boonville, Emma May is survived by her grandmothers, Dolores Risley and Sharon Lyon; great grandmother, Dorrinne Lyon; uncles, Ken Lyon, Jr. and wife, Jenni Lee; cousins, Kam Lilli and London, uncle, Seth and Paula Lyon, cousins, Colton and Hailey, uncle, John Risley and aunt Deb Jackson, aunt Gail and uncle Chris Hemedinger, cousins Maggie, Evelyn and Dylan and many great aunts, great uncles and cousins. Also surviving is her boyfriend, Brendan Kelly, and his family, whom she was very fond of. Recently, Emma May and Brendan had purchased a home near Oneida. 

 Emma May was predeceased by her grandfathers, Kenny Lyon, Sr., Elwin “Al” Risley, Bob Olney; great grandparents, Dewey Lyon, Robert and Barbara “May” Kiefer, Elwin and Anna Risley, Virginia “Emma” and Martin Babicz. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Matthew Rawson, on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 11:00 A.M., at St. Joseph’s Church, Charles St. Boonville, with a spring interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Forestport. Calling hours are Sunday, December 29, 2024, from 1-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lyon Family Scholarship Fund, Northern NY Community Foundation, 131 Washington St. Watertown, NY 13601 or to Christ Our Hope Parish Catholic Community, 108 Charles St. Boonville, NY 13309, or to Boonville Fire Department, PO Box 164, Boonville, NY 13309.