Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

Age 94, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died peacefully at her daughter’s home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her loving family enfolded in her presence on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
Beloved wife of the late Bernard J. Lyons; loving and precious mother of Mary Ellen (Michael) Reitmeyer, Beth (Dean) Bova, Jo Anne (Frank) Lazzaro and Terri (John) Moorhead; devoted sister of Carol Ann Hoffman, Marilyn Conwell and the late Rosemarie Luffey and Jean Rumpler; cherished grandmother "MeMe" of Elise Grignon, Caitlin Averill, Michael Reitmeyer, Jr., Maria Frey, Matthew Bova, Christopher Bova, Andrea Lyle, Nicholas Lazzaro, Antonio Lazzaro, Gianna Lazzaro, Erin Kelly, Meghan Kelly, Sean Kelly, Adisyn Moorhead and Keiran Moorhead; loving great-grandmother "MeMe" of Gavin, Ella, Nora, Owen and Cullen Grignon; Maura Averill; Huxley Frey; Lucas, Matthew, Andrew and Joshua Bova; Evie, Dane and Beckett Bova; and Madeline and Josephine Lyle.

Although it was uncommon for woman to have a career, Aileen graduated from Etna High School in 1946 and she went on to study nursing at the Mercy School of Nursing and graduated in 1949. Aileen enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a lieutenant in California. Upon discharge from the United States Navy, Aileen continued working as a Registered Nurse at Mercy Hospital and then at Jefferson Hospital. She retired in 1991. Aileen was a devout Catholic and attended mass weekly. While raising her 4 daughters, Aileen volunteered her free time as a Girl Scout Leader for her daughters’ troops and as a CCD teacher, along-side her loving husband, Bernie, at St. Winifred. She also volunteered her time to Christian Mothers at St. Winifred. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The little ones always brought a big smile to their MeMe’s face and warmed her heart. Aileen was a devoted mother to all four of her daughters. She would visit her daughters wherever they lived and loved spending time with them and their kids. Her second home was Lancaster, PA. She loved going to see the plays at the Sight and Sound Theatre with her sisters (aka the Crazy Aunts), her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would travel out there several times a year for a visit. In 2020 she relocated to Lancaster, PA to live with her oldest daughter. She joined St. Leo the Great Catholic Church and attended mass regularly. She also joined the Lancaster Leiderkrantz and enjoyed going there often for dinner, to listen to a German band and to participate in other events. Aileen was able to continue her involvement in the Southwestern PA Nurses Club even after her move to Lancaster.

A song that MeMe would always sing to her grandkids was:
I love you, a bushel and a peck
A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck
A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap
A barrel and a heap and I'm talkin' in my sleep

None of them even knew what a bushel and a peck even meant, but when they hear that phrase, it makes them think of their MeMe.

Family and friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Friday, February 24, 2023 from 2-8 p.m. Funeral prayer on Saturday morning at 8:45. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Winifred Catholic Church, 550 Sleepy Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 at 9:30 a.m. Aileen will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1000 Sharps Hill Rd, Sharpsburg, PA 15215. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SWPA RN Club, 226 Hytyre Farms Dr, Gibsonia, PA 15044. Checks made payable to: SWPA RN Club – Scholarship Fund