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PEGGY LYMAN

EILEEN MARGARET MAYNARD LYMAN

April 16, 1918 – September 22, 2002

My mother, Peggy Lyman, was and is an important influence in my life and in the lives of everyone in our family. She touched the lives of her friends. She even touched the lives of people who only met her briefly. Each person she touched knew only a part of Mother's "story". I created this website to share Mother's life through photographs. These photographs were enlarged to "poster-size" and were displayed at her memorial service. I have also included a copy of her obituary, a newspaper article about her, a copy of the leaflet from her memorial service, words spoken by me and my sister, Sally, during the memorial service and a list of the music played during the memorial service.

Gray Lyman

Eileen Margaret Maynard is born in New York City on April 16, 1918

Margaret starts life sharing her familiar smile

A happy childhood prepares Margaret for a happy life

Margaret's beauty shines at 16

Margaret "aquaplanes" in New York harbor

Margaret on her 21st birthday

Harry and "Peggy" marry in September 1942

New Yorkers Peggy, Gray, Sally and Harry become Texans in 1949

"Peggy Lyman Personnel" is founded in Houston in November of 1951

Peggy's life message is "Enjoy!"

Peggy and Harry open "Lyman's" Dallas office in the 1970s

Peggy's promotional photo for "Lyman's" in the 1970s

Peggy re-discovers her British-Caribbean heritage on St. Kitts-Nevis in 1973

Peggy and Harry begin retirement-life on Nevis in 1976

Peggy enjoys "shelling" on the beaches of Nevis

Peggy becomes involved and raises funds for Nevis charities and causes

Peggy loves her life in Nevis

Peggy enjoys her restaurant, "Caribbean Confections", in Nevis

Peggy and Harry are happy in Nevis

"Harry"

Harrison Gray Otis Lyman

January 19, 1915 – May 10, 1986

Born in New York City

Died in Nevis, Leeward Islands, West Indies

Peggy has fun on a ski trip to Lake Tahoe with Sally and Gray in 1989

Peggy enjoys life in Houston while living at Gray's house in the 1990s

Peggy likes cooking great meals in Gray's kitchen

Gray buys Peggy a new hat while they are in Paris in 1997

Peggy has fun on a Galveston-Mexican cruise in 2001

Peggy having fun getting ready for a party in August 2002

Peggy is still active and having fun getting ready for a party in August 2002

Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8, 2002, were normal, active days for Mother. She was driving, shopping and "doing" for others (as usual).

On Monday morning, September 9, at about 6:15 AM, Mother called out from her bedroom. She was lying on the floor next to her bed and seemed unable to get up, although she seemed alert. Her speech was unrecognizable and her right side was impaired. It was obvious that she had suffered a stroke. I called 911 and my sister, Sally, whose Houston apartment is just two blocks from my house. Mother was rushed to the hospital by ambulance with Sally at her side and me following in my car.

Although she was impaired, Mother was alert when she arrived at the emergency room. Hospital staff began evaluating her, running tests and providing medication. But as the morning progressed and she was moved to the Intensive Care Unit, she became less alert and fell into a deep sleep-like state. She never really awakened fully from that state again, even though there were times when she would open her eyes or squeeze our hands over the next few days. We felt that she knew we were there and that she could hear everything, but she was never able to speak or express anything other than a sleepy look, a squeeze of our hand with her left hand or a slight raise of her left hand. Those moments were important for us because they allowed us to feel that she was hearing us when we talked to her. But those moments became fewer and fewer and the doctors told us, due to the kind of non-clot "bleeding" stroke she had suffered, that we should not expect her to recover. Her sleep became deeper and deeper.

Mother had a very minor heartbeat irregularity condition for more than 10 years that was successfully controlled with a medication named Inderal. This year, she began seeing a new doctor who recommended the addition of a blood-thinning medication, Coumadin, to prevent her from forming blood clots that might cause a stroke. Ironically, the Coumadin was, most likely, the cause of or a contributor to the "bleed" in her brain.

The doctors recommended that we move Mother to a hospice where she (and we) would be cared for and comforted. She was moved to The Hospice at Texas Medical Center on Monday, September 16. She had a lovely room in a beautiful place and, although Mother never really knew she was there, she would have approved. It is an old mansion, in a park-like setting, that has been converted and enlarged to handle the requirements of hospice.

Mother was never alone from the time she arrived at the hospital on September 9th until she passed away peacefully, with me by her side, holding her hand, on Sunday morning, September 22, at about 10 AM. Sally and I were with her constantly, day and night, except for a few hours when our friends Sherry and Lee, or Sally's daughter, Elizabeth, substituted for us.

Mother requested cremation. Her ashes will be interred next to my father's ashes in the family burial site at Woodland Cemetery, Bellport, Long Island, New York.

We are very sad and feel very alone without Mother's presence. We know, in time, her memory will become more joyful and less painful. But, until then, it is hard because we miss her so much. It is a great loss and difficult to accept. But Mother's example, once again, after my father's death in 1986, has shown us how to continue on and lead a full, active, productive, interesting, meaningful and enjoyable life.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for Mother, me and Sally during this difficult period.

Houston Chronicle

September 24, 25, 26, 2002

PL promo photo

EILEEN MARGARET "PEGGY" LYMAN entered into the arms of the Lord on Sunday, September 22, 2002. Born April 16, 1918, in New York City, she was the only child of Harry and Eileen Maynard, immigrants from the British West Indies. Peggy spent her childhood on Staten Island, New York, happily growing up surrounded by a large family of cousins, aunts and uncles. Peggy's life was active and full until she had an irreversible brain hemorrhage stroke on Monday, September 9, 2002. She died peacefully in the care of the Hospice at the Texas Medical Center. She was married to Harrison Gray Otis Lyman on September 11, 1942, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, New York. Her beloved Harry preceded her in death in 1986 after forty-four years of a very happy marriage. Along with their two children, Peggy and Harry moved to Houston after World War II in the spring of 1949. During World War II, Peggy worked closely with Carl Norden, inventor and manufacturer of the Norden Bombsight, used by the U.S. Navy to successfully target and precision bomb from high altitudes. As a result of her participation with the Norden Group, Peggy received the Navy Medal for Excellence. Peggy founded Peggy Lyman Personnel ("Lyman 's") in Houston in 1951 and retired in 1976. The company remained in business under the ownership of her son, Gray, until 1988, when the firm was sold. During the 25 years that she owned and operated the company, Peggy worked directly with many of Houston's civic leaders and companies, providing employment opportunities for thousands of Houstonians, positively impacting an untold number of lives. While active in the business she was a member and/or office holder in local, state and national personnel and temporary help organizations. One of the many awards she received was the national Pioneer of the Industry Award for temporary help services. During her business career in Houston she was a member of many organizations including Executive Women International, Business and Professional Women of Houston and the Administrative Management Society. She was the first woman to be an officer in the Houston Advertising Club and served as its vice president during 1956-57. She was one of the first women to serve on the Houston Chamber of Commerce Membership Committee (known as the Breakfast Club) as well as the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors' Council. She also served on the board of the Florence Crittendon Home for Unwed Mothers. After their retirement in 1976, Harry and Peggy spent most of their time at "Sugar Hill," their home on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean, and traveled extensively. Peggy was a proud first generation American, but also held dual citizenship on the former British West Indies island nation of St. Kitts-Nevis. Both of her parents and her forbearers had been born on the islands. Her father's family were sugar planters since the late 1600's on Nevis, the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton. Her mother's family started the first newspaper in the Caribbean in the mid-1700s, and her great-grandfather was the first postmaster on St. Kitts. After retirement to Nevis, Peggy helped organize the Alexandra Hospital Auxiliary Aid Society and the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society and was very active in fund raising. She remained an Honorary Member of those organizations until the present time. Peggy's first and foremost love and concern was always for her family. She successfully managed her dual role of businesswoman and mother. She provided a loving role model for her children and grandchildren, and was active in their lives from early childhood to adulthood. She is survived by her son, H. Gray Lyman, of Houston, and daughter, Sally Lyman Lasater, of Aptos, California, as well as her beloved grandchildren, Richard Lyman Lasater and Brian Harrison Lasater of Houston, and Elizabeth Gray Lasater and husband, John Bergenske, of Arcata, California. She is also survived by her "extended" family, which includes David Knowlton and Sherry Dixon of Houston, Karla Hertzog of San Diego and Lee, Bianca, Cassie, and Tai Smith-Moir of Houston. Peggy had many long friendships throughout the world and also had many friends among the seniors in the organizations she belonged to here in Houston since returning from Nevis to live here, including two chapters of the AARP, garden clubs, book review clubs, the Junior Forum and the Junior League. She was also writing a Caribbean cookbook in association with her memoirs of her happy years on Nevis. Peggy Lyman devoted her life to her family, friends and business associates, and she will be missed by all who knew her. We are sad that we do not have her here with us, but we are happy for those on the "other side" who are with her now. We wish her Godspeed, and send with her a hug to give to Pop. We love you, Mother, and thank you for providing us with a wonderful life and memories. A memorial service to celebrate Peggy's life will be held at 10 AM on Friday, September 27, 2002, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 3816 Bellaire Blvd. Remembrances may be made in memory of Peggy to the Alexandra Hospital Infirmary Auxiliary Society (of Nevis), c/o Margaret Lyman, 4510 Yoakum Blvd., Houston, Texas, 77006.

September 25, 2002

Peggy Lyman, businesswoman

By ROMA KHANNA
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

Eileen Margaret "Peggy" Lyman, who placed more than 100,000 Houstonians in jobs and who was among the first women to join local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, died Sunday. She was 84.

Lyman, who moved here in 1949, maintained a fast-paced schedule until this month, when she suffered a stroke.

"At 84, she was still driving people who were 99 around and helping people arrange to get Medicaid," said Lyman's son, Gray. "People would say, `Peggy, please slow down,' but she was always doing something and it was usually for somebody else."

Lyman founded Peggy Lyman Personnel in 1951 and spent 25 years shaping the Houston work force until retiring in 1976.

"She worked with so many people who became community leaders who without her would not have had such an impact," said Sally Lasater, Lyman's daughter.

"We still hear from people who call and say, `You found a job for me in 1952 and now I am retiring,'" said Lyman's son, who still runs a portion of the business.

Lyman was born in New York City, where her parents had immigrated from the British West Indies. She spent her childhood on Staten Island and married Harrison Gray Otis Lyman, her husband of 44 years who died in 1986.

During World War II, Lyman worked with Carl Norden, who invented the Norden Bombsight, which the U.S. Navy used to target bombs from high altitudes. The Navy rewarded her with a Medal for Excellence.

After her retirement, Lyman and her husband spent much time at "Sugar Hill," their home on the Caribbean island of Nevis, where her father's family had been sugar farmers since the 1600s.

After her husband's death, she worked on a Caribbean cookbook and collection of memoirs from her years on Nevis. Lyman's son and daughter plan to complete the book in her memory.

Lyman is survived by her two children and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 3816 Bellaire.

Memorial Service Leaflet, page 1

Memorial Service Leaflet, page 2

Memorial Service Leaflet, page 3

Memorial Service Leaflet, page 4

Sally, my sister, shared these words at the memorial service:

Thank you for coming here today to honor my mother . . . and to say goodbye.

My mother had enough plans and things in her life, even at the age of 84 - than most people I know, of any age. She had more interests and curiosity and energy and love to fill two lives - not just one. . and she simply just ran out of time.

I think my mother's greatest attribute was her generosity. She willingly shared her time, spirit and love to the very end. I know that many of us present today have been the beneficiary of that generosity.

Besides the gift of life itself, my mother gave me many things which have enabled me to travel the road of life. Many of these things I wasn't even aware I had been given, until I needed them. Thank you, mother.

I don't know the right words to comfort those of us who sorrow, or to reassure or confirm to those who believe in heaven and a life ever after. . .

. . . I don't know the right things to say to those who might question the existence of a life hereafter - and who struggle to understand and believe. But, I know and believe this -- that today my mother's soul is at rest and in a wonderful place, and that she is surrounded by love and grace. I am also very sure that at the moment it became time to journey forth from this world -- however reluctant she was to do so -- that she did so with the same joi de vie with which she had lived her life.

I was proud that Peggy Lyman was my mother . . . I loved her, and will miss her very, very much . . . and, probably much more than she or I ever thought I would.

I said these words at the memorial service:

Several years ago, Mother returned from attending a memorial service for one of her friends and began "gushing", in her usual way, about how beautiful the service was, how beautiful the music was...but especially how wonderful it was that her friend's son had spoken at the service and had said such wonderful things about his mother. I told her at that time, "Well, you can forget that -- there is no way I would be able to speak at a service for you!" And that has been a standing joke between us since then.

But over the last couple of weeks, as we sat with Mother, I began to get strength -- from somewhere -- to stand up and say a few words. And, at the hospice where Mother was during her last few days, I read something that explained death in a beautiful way. It gave me comfort, and I decided that I wanted to share what I had read with all of you so that it could also give each of you comfort and could be something that you could share with others at a time like this in the future.

But before I read it to you, I wanted to express a few thoughts about Mother to you.

Many of you knew Mother as a successful businesswoman -- very involved in the Houston community. In fact, the article about Mother that was in the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday was entitled, "Peggy Lyman, Businesswoman". But what most of you probably don't know is that Mother's business life, although important to her, was way down on her list of priorities.

Her foremost concern was always for my father and her family. Her marriage to my father was a very happy, very full part of her life. Her role as mother for me and Sally always took precedence over anything to do with business. And her concern and caring for her friends was always important. The article in the Chronicle should have been entitled, " Peggy Lyman -- wife, mother, friend and businesswoman".

The role model she displayed for all of us is a treasure -- and one which will stay with us all forever.

We are so lucky to have had her for a mother and a friend. I'll never forget the joy and pleasure of knowing her. And, I'm sure that those of you who were close to her will always feel the same.

Thank you Mother, for your sharing and for your example.

Now, I'd like to read the message that I discovered at the hospice, and I hope that it is as meaningful for you as it was, and is, for me.

So here is an explanation of death that can help give us all comfort:

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!", there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"