Marilyn Barr-Lyell

1950 – 2022

Marilyn Lyell lived a bountiful and joyful and non-stop life that began in Santa Barbara, California in 1950 and ended at her home in Portsmouth, Rhode Island on July 24. For the last 42 years, she lovingly shared her life with her husband Chandler Lyell, and they were joined along the way by their sons Andrew and Slader, and later by their sons’ respective wives and kids, Grace & Cooper, and Omeche & Elijah, all of whom she loved unconditionally.

While time was short from her diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma in March, Marilyn was filled with gratitude and humility that her life was so full of good fortune. She had and nurtured so many friends, all of whom will miss her greatly. Almost all of her time was enthusiastically spent in the present, mostly playing sports and games, and walking and talking and traveling with family and friends. Her family is so sad with her passing, but they too appreciate their good fortune, to have been able to share so much of their lives with such a unique and happy mother and wife and friend.

Her family appreciates the kindnesses of those who helped Marilyn during her illness, people too numerous to mention, people who have a special and unusual capacity for compassion and empathy. A life celebration will be planned at a future date, and folks will need to come armed with a silly poem or haiku. Those so-moved can make a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or American Cancer Society so that cures can soon be found.