The beautiful face and heart of the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, Joyce Senga Lyon, 74, formerly of Great Barrington, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2023 at Berkshire Medical Center. Joy, the daughter of Canadian parents Dr. Harold “Hal” and Agnes Lyon, was born on August 15, 1948 in St. Petersburg, Fla. As a young girl, she played among the palm and rubber trees of Harbel, Liberia while her father practiced and researched medicine, primarily Malaria research. She later returned to the United States and graduated from Badger High School in Lake Geneva, Wis. She attended the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
Joy was the manager of the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center for more than 20 years. She was a well-respected historian of Great Barrington and an angelic advocate for local shops, inns, and the preservation of historic Great Barrington and Southern Berkshires.
Joy was a gifted writer and orator of historical facts of both her own familial history and that of Great Barrington. She had a great sense of humor and truly loved the community she served, and, through that love, she helped thousands of people who entered the Visitor Center experience the southern Berkshires as she experienced them: as magical and as home.
Joy was a loving and devoted mom. She had an inner wisdom and light that lit up the room when she would enter. Her children, grandchildren, family, and friends were the most important to her.
She was an avid reader of historical novels and mysteries. She was a gifted writer of poetry and letters. She enjoyed history, both local and national politics, reading tarot cards, steak and lobster, and mornings. As a young mom, she would wake up early to enjoy her coffee while looking out at the Berkshire trees reflecting on the day ahead. She loved life and was resilient through hardships. She would say, “When you’re dancing, God is dancing.”
Joy will be lovingly remembered by Thomas C. Doane; her children, Jase Doane, Madeline Doane, and Katherine Doane; and her two grandchildren, Nicholas and Patricia.
Joy was preceded in death by Dr. Harold P. Lyon (dad), Agnes Lyon (mom), Elizabeth “Dinky” Anne Pauley (sister), Sally Lyon (sister), and Shirley McCormick (sister).
Joy is survived by John Lyon (brother), Patricia Lyon (sister-in-law), Garrett Lyon (nephew), Mckenzie Lyon (niece), Lee McCormick (niece), Jase Doane (son), Melissa Doane (daughter-in-law), Madeline Doane (daughter), Katherine Doane (daughter), Nicholas Osborne (grandson), and Patricia Osborne (granddaughter). She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will announce plans for a memorial service at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations or support of any kind can be made to some of Joy’s favorite charities: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Autism Speaks, Great Barrington Historical Society, or The Trustees of Reservations of Massachusetts. To send remembrances to the family, please visit the website of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home.
