LYLE, Mary P. (Comeau)- Of Lynnfield, formerly of Wakefield and Malden, April 19th.
No Lesson Gone Untaught
If there was something to know of life and love, Mary taught it.
Born Mary Patricia Comeau on June the 2nd, 1952, the youngest of six
children, Mary was the youngest daughter of Albion and Martha Comeau. From the
time she was a child Mary had considered teaching to be her dream, an interest
in the profession being fostered in part by her Auntie Edith, whom she looked up
to always. She attended Salem State College after graduating from Malden High
School in 1970, and continued on to a double Master’s Degree.
Returning to Malden High School on the other side of the desk, Mary proceeded,
for the next twenty-five years, to teach her pupils all she could of the
timeless worlds of literature to be laid at their disposal. Of such Mary was the
master, and took great pride in not only her abilities, but as well the great
friends she made in the public school system, as well as the countless others
she had known from her early childhood, whom she taught the value of friendships
that, no matter the circumstances, will never die.
Lessons took an even greater role in Mary’s life, as she continued to show her
husband John Lyle and two children, Matthew and Alison, the nature of selfless
giving and love. She raised them all well, and was ever first to lift high and
praise her newfound family for all it had given her.
In October of 2000, Mary was diagnosed with lymphoma, and on this past
Saturday, April 19th at 6:35 AM, Mary Comeau Lyle finally lost her battle with
the cancer. However the story cannot and does not end there, as her lost fight
with cancer says nothing of her ultimate victory in life.
While sick, Mary taught all who knew her the courage and strength taken to hold
onto life, the passion it takes to live it, and, ultimately, the eternal nature
of being. Through the ups and the downs Mary could always count on her brothers
and sisters; Martha, Thomas, Eileen, and Laurence, as well as her husband,
children, and close friends and relatives to be by her side, which is where the
strongest of her innumerable lessons were born. Mary always kept her chin up,
her shoulder to the wheel, and her soul shining through to bring all a smile to
the face and a tear to their eyes, living as an example of the strength of human
spirit. When asked how she was, no one man or woman could ever get it quite
right, for no matter the nature of her physical health, Mary always masked her
pains under her zest for living. Mary’s manner was always a delight. Her humor
and wit, her love of stories and human contact no matter her health, survive her
in the hearts and minds of all who knew her.
Her appreciation for her extended time reaches far into us all, who wish
to thank each and every man, woman and child who helped Mary along the way. The
family wishes to extend its warmest gratitude to the Massachusetts General
Hospital, in particular her wonderful oncologist, Dr. John Erban, and her
fabulous nurse practitioner, Mary Beth Singer. Thanks also to each member of the
Malden High School community, who recognized early the struggle of the family
and was ever first to lend a hand in comfort and support.
Mary Comeau Lyle was a teacher until her last breath, and an influence
far beyond. Each and every tear shed for a woman who lived her life so
beautifully often begs company, but there is great joy to be had for this woman
who will never leave us. In Thornton Wilder’s play Our Town, one of Mary’s
favorites works, the playwright says “there's something way down deep that's
eternal about every human being.” With Mary, this truth was much more near the
surface. When one woman can impact and change the lives of so many, how can she
ever really be gone?
Regardless she will be missed, and always thought of, and always loved,
and always our courageous Mary, our guardian Angel.
Mary is survived by her loving mother Martha O’Neil Comeau of Malden,
her mother-in-law June Koomas Lyle of Melrose, her loving husband of 27 years
John Lyle and her adored children Matthew and Alison Lyle of Lynnfield, her
siblings Martha Bartlett of Sandwich, Thomas Comeau and his wife Audrey of New
Jersey, Eileen Montecalvo and her husband John of Malden and Laurence Comeau and
his wife Joan of Ipswich. In addition, she also leaves her brother-in-law
Michael Lyle and his wife Eileen of Melrose, Lawrence Lyle of Wilmington,
Leonard Lyle of Burlington and James Lyle and his wife Fatima of Lynn. Mary also
leaves many nieces, nephews and loving friends.
A wake will be held in Carroll Funeral Home, 721 Salem Street (Maplewood Square) Malden on Tuesday, April 22nd,
from 4 until 8 in the evening, followed by a funeral Mass on Wednesday at 10 AM
at St. Joseph’s Church, 770 Salem Street, Malden. Memorial contributions for educational
endowment would be greatly appreciated, and accepted by to John C. Lyle, FBO The
Lyle Children; PO Box 285294, Boston, MA, 02228-5294. As Mary would have wished
it, the opportunity to learn and teach should, and will, continue on.