Evelyn L. Lyman

Evelyn L. Lyman, 97, died peacefully in her sleep of old age on November 27, 2022, in Casa de las Minas de la Castillo de las Guardas, Spain.

The last of her family’s generation, she was for over 25 years the director of the Swan Library in Albion, New York, one of her many community contributions throughout a long lifetime.

Born in Bainbridge Center, Ohio on October 24, 1925, Evelyn was a graduate of Hiram College where she met her husband, Curtis L. Lyman. She went on to receive a graduate degree in Library Science from Western Reserve School of Library Science, later working at Cornell University, Fort Devens, the University of Rochester and as a medical librarian at Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital.

She was appointed the director of the Swan Library in 1973, working diligently to improve the book selection and building facilities at the corner of Bank Street and Main Street. She was most proud of making the Library accessible to young and old, through the installation of an elevator and addition of summer youth programs, GED classes, literacy volunteers, and promotion of the cultural arts. For many years, the Swan sponsored a poetry competition named after Evelyn, in recognition of her many contributions.

Evelyn was a member of many civic organizations while living in Albion, including scouting, Young Woman’s Service Club, Orleans County Planning Advisory Committee, Bergen Swamp Preservation Society, Albion Board of Education, the Republican Committee, as a deacon, elder and clerk of session in the Presbyterian Church, and as a founding member of the Cobblestone Society, serving for many years as president.

A decades long member of the choir in the Presbyterian Church, she later joined the American Women’s Club in Seville, Spain, where she continued to share her love of literary and cultural arts with fellow ex-pats.

She is survived by her three children, Curtis Jr. (JoAnne), Nathan (Gail) and James; grandchildren Chelsea (Reggie) Robinson, Brittany (Hayden) Dawes, Laura (Anthony) Sidari, Elizabeth (Erik) Peterson, Catherine (Kate) Wright, and eight great-grandchildren.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Curtis L. Lyman Sr., parents Herbert and Berte Lake, brother Frank Lake and great-grandson, Leon Sidari.

Memorial contributions may be made in Evelyn’s name to the First Presbyterian Church of Albion or the Hoag (formerly Swan) Library in Albion.

There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held in the future at the convenience of the family.