Mariel Lyons

It is with broken hearts that the family of Mariel Lyons announces her unexpected passing, on July 1st, 2026, in San Diego, California. At the age of 88, she had been courageously struggling with a recent heart condition.

Born on July 20, 1937, in Falls, Pennsylvania, Mariel moved with her family at the age of four to San Bernardino, California. She traveled with her late father and mother Eugene and Mary Lyons, and sisters, Theresa and Anna May. Her younger brother, Eugene, preceded her in death. Mariel is survived by her youngest sister, Cathy Lyons.

Mariel is also survived by her children Thomas (Maureen), Kenneth, Marilynn (Ken), Susan, Kevin, and Kris, and was preceded by her third son Joseph. Mariel is also survived by her grandchildren, Fiona, Shannon (Nick), Arianna (Linsey), Chelsea, Shayley, Ryan, Kaylee, Connor, Savanna, and her great grandchildren Ronan, Aiden, Grayson, Rowan, and River.

Mariel treasured her family and friends and had a great passion for astrology, research, and helping people. In her search for life’s truths, she dove deeply into history, religions, cultures, arcane mysteries, and archaeology. Mariel completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in History at San Diego State University in 1981. At an archaeological dig at the Presidio in Old Town, San Diego, California, she and a classmate discovered part of “the first jailhouse floor that went down in the new world,” which was documented in the San Diego Tribune newspaper.

In her youth, Mariel modeled her beautiful hair, danced with the Spanish castanets, enjoyed books about horses and dogs, and dreamed of becoming an investigative journalist in New York City. In her adult life, Mariel was a world traveler, and was inspired by her favorite painter, Claude Monet, to put paint to canvas on several of her own masterpieces. She was a writer and a lover of gardens, crystals, clouds, and flowers. She was at home on the sea, dreamed of sailing, and grabbed the helm at any opportunity! She celebrated her Irish ancestry, felt great empathy for her ancestors and homeland, and traveled to Erin’s green shores on several occasions. Later in life, she developed a great affinity for the Native American culture and visited countless cliff dwellings and pueblos.

Mariel was a true Renaissance woman with an extraordinary passion for freedom and independence woven into the fabric of her soul. Her spiritual essence was nurtured by her long standing as a Student of Self-Realization Fellowship and the divine. Her life was guided by light and love, and her selflessness and compassion were boundless.

Mariel will be profoundly missed by her family, loved ones, and her many friends.

A celebration of her life will begin with a Burial at Sea at 8:30 am aboard The Sea Wolf II in Monterey Bay, California, departing from Old Fisherman’s Wharf. The Celebration of Life Event will continue at 4 pm at The Community Shared Space, 3756 The Barnyard, Carmel, California.

Silver Lining Cremations & Burial was honored to care for Mariel Lyons, who passed away on July 1, 2026. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends who loved Mariel. May the memories you shared bring comfort in the days ahead.