Eleanor Fitzgerald Lyons

Eleanor Fitzgerald Lyons, 94, of Hilton Head Island, SC, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025. She lived in the Lowcountry for 29 years, having retired to Sun City Hilton Head with her husband Joseph, from New Jersey. Eleanor was a loving and dedicated wife and mother, often described throughout her life as a force to be reckoned with. She was kind and warm-hearted, fierce and feisty, to the very end. She will be dearly missed by her children, grandchildren and friends.

Born on July 18, 1931, Eleanor was raised in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. She graduated high school from Dominican Academy in Manhattan, then Fordham University and an MBA from New York University. Her career included serving as executive secretary to TWA President Charles Thomas, and her airline travel pass enabled her to travel widely—Paris being her favorite destination.

Eleanor met Joseph Lyons while vacationing on the New Jersey shore, and they were married in 1960.They raised four children, built three homes and traveled extensively during their marriage of 55 years. While raising her family in Matawan and then Holmdel, NJ, she volunteered for a social service organization, and organized baby showers at a pre-natal clinic for impoverished mothers. She later worked as a substitute teacher for elementary and junior high schools, ran an SAT Prep course and finally became a sales agent for MetLife, focused on helping young families get the life insurance they needed.

At Sun City, she co-founded the “Sew What Club”, a sewing and crafts club. She loved to read, with a noted fondness for Agatha Christie mysteries. She appreciated music, adored Johann Strauss waltzes, and had a special love for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals. She shared with her husband daughter Laura a love of ballet.

Eleanor cherished her Irish heritage and was the daughter of immigrants David Fitzgerald of Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, and Nora Fitzgerald (née McGrath) of Tuam, County Galway. Her parents met while working as chauffeur and lady’s maid before later owning a gas station. Her Catholic faith and education informed her values of service, charity, education and justice, and she exemplified these attributes quietly throughout her life and work.

In 2018, Eleanor experienced a stroke and hip fracture that led to assisted living care. Despite these challenges, her spirit remained resilient. Her family extends heartfelt gratitude to all who supported her during those years.

She is survived by her children: Christopher Lyons, Lenore Lyons Kostopoulos, and John Lyons; grandchildren: Julia Lyons, Aiden Karrh, Sophia Lyons, and Emma Karrh; and sons-in-law: Gregory Karrh and George Kostopoulos. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph (2016) and daughter Laura Lyons Karrh (2024).

A funeral Mass will be held Monday, December 22 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 31 St. Gregory Dr., Bluffton, SC.

Memorial donations may be made to the Maryknoll Sisters at https://www.maryknollsisters.org/.