Ellen Frances Lyons Berg

Ellen Frances Lyons Berg, 72, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2014, in Sonoma.

Ellen was born to Frank Thomas Lyons and Frances Ellen Farrell in San Francisco on December 14, 1941, only a few days after Pearl Harbor brought the U.S. into World War II. Sadly her father, with cancer, predeceased her birth by a few months. Her mother supported the family and went on to become the well-loved principal of Ulloa Elementary School in the Sunset.

Ellen was very proud of being a third generation Irish San Franciscan. She attended Catholic schools, graduating from Presentation High School in 1959.  She was a highly skilled executive secretary in the advertising business in San Francisco. She then moved to Marin where she was the city clerk of Fairfax.  She retired from Marin Municipal Water District. Ellen loved to dance as well as knit and crochet. She was always up for poker or gin rummy. Ellen was joyful person and very quick with her wit. To be with her was to laugh a lot.

Surviving Ellen is her beloved son, James; daughter-in-law, Jennifer; granddaughters, Morgan, 13, Riley 10, of San Francisco; her sister, Sonoma artist, Judy Theo Lehner; and niece, Marla Lehner.  Predeceasing Ellen in 2004, is her brother, Stephen Lyons, a runner who ran the Boston marathon and who won 14 Dipsea black shirts. He is survived by his wife, Billie Jo Post, and Ellen’s nieces, Paula Lyons Vlaming and Gina Lyons Hartquist; and nephew Stephen Lyons Jr. She also leaves behind many dear friends and co-workers in San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma. She lived many years at Sonoma Hills and was well loved by all who knew her.  All will miss her spirit at her favorite game, Bingo.

A memorial service will be held at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476, July 11, 2014, at 11 a.m.

Donations can be made in her honor to Hospice By The Bay, 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476.

Arrangements cared for under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service. Inquiries can be made to them at (707) 996-3655 or by visiting their website at www.duggansmissionchapel.com.