Sensational Seniors – February 2021
Margaret Lyon was born in Wray, Colorado on October 5, 1937 and left this world in Jacksonville, Oregon on December 27, 2020. After attending school for twelve years in Wray, Margaret headed off to the University of Colorado in Boulder where she majored in English and French. She would laugh remembering her college sorority days and especially when a sorority sister would try to get someone to go on a date with her cousin, Robbie, who, while he had a fancy sports car, was too short to get a look. That Robbie would later be known as Robert Redford. After graduation from college, Margaret headed to Bellingham, WA where she was hired to teach high school French. That Christmas, she came home to attend the wedding of her best friend and in the process met the groom’s best man, Russ Lyon, who on August 21, 1960 became her husband. This past August, they celebrated 60 years of marriage. For those who knew them, their marriage was an inspiration and model of what a successful marriage could be.
After their two children, Michael and Jennifer, were born, and with Russ’s extensive time spent away from home with his Navy obligations, they opted to move to Littleton, Colorado to raise their children. Margaret also decided that teaching was not for her, so she went back to school to be certified as a medical records clerk, leading to her working for a urologist in Colorado Springs. Russ, after leaving the Navy ranked as a Commander, utilized the G.I. Bill which led to a Doctorate in College Administration and a second career. Eventually Russ and Margaret landed in Klamath Falls when Russ was selected as the Director of Admissions for OIT, and Margaret was hired by Klamath Radiology, her all-time favorite job.
After ten years at OIT and Klamath Radiology, Russ and Margaret started thinking about retirement. Seeking a milder climate, they began looking at property in the Medford area which led them to a 23-acre piece of undeveloped land just outside Jacksonville. They bought the property, had a home built and moved into it in 1994. Since the word “idle” was not in their vocabulary, they decided to start a you-pick peach orchard. They planted 150 peach trees and had a thriving peach business until a blight hit their orchard and they were forced to destroy all the trees. Their semi-retirement did not last long because in 1997 Valley View Vineyard approached them about growing grapes, specifically Merlot grapes, for Valley View’s expanding winery. The result of this effort was that Margaret and Russ got the winery bug and eventually opened Daisy Creek Vineyard, growing all their own grapes. Their first tasting room was in Central Point where they made many friends and gained a reputation for first-class award-winning wines. Later, the tasting area was moved to their Jacksonville vineyard property where it remains to this day as a popular gathering place for the Jacksonville and Jackson County community at large.
Perhaps the Daisy Creek tasting room best symbolizes the spirit of Margaret. The undisputed matriarch of the vineyard, she was a great complement to Russ and was happiest when she could greet and visit with wine club members when they arrived. She was a shrewd businesswoman and was, in many ways, responsible for the large growth in club members and for those who discovered Daisy Creek. While she faced many physical and health barriers, she did so with poise and grace and, as such, was an inspiration to her many friends.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Russ, son Michael Lyon (Lisa), grandson Nicholas, daughter Jennifer Powers (Gary), granddaughter Kelly Teter (Josh), great granddaughter, Elanor, and grandson, Casey McQueary.
Even with her physical ailments, Margaret enjoyed a dry martini, a good glass of Syrah and going out to dinner. She was an excellent cook, a premier canner of garden vegetables and played a mean hand of bridge. A celebration of life will take place later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to your charity of choice, to the Crater Foundation (PO Box 5172, Central Point, OR 97502) or the PEO scholarship fund (contact: cathied.peo@gmail.com.)
Photo is of Margaret and Russ Lyon at their Daisy Creek Vineyard in Jacksonville, Oregon.
Mike McClain spent 32 years as a teacher and school administrator, retiring in 1999 as Superintendent of Central Point Schools. He and his wife relocated to Jacksonville four years ago and are enjoying immersing themselves in this unique community.