Gemma Maria van Joolen Lyons

Gemma Maria van Joolen Lyons (December 27, 1954 to November 29, 2016). Gemma left our world peacefully after a long and brave battle with cancer. Daughter of the late Theodore van Joolen and Catherine Bouman van Joolen, Gemma was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. She voyaged to the United States at age six, settling with her family in the university town of Lawrence, Kansas. The family continued westward when Gemma was eleven, settling in Pasadena, California. There Gemma forged many lifelong friendships during her secondary school years and with her traveling choir The Christian Minstrels from Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene. Her friendships continued at Point Loma Nazarene College, where she fell in love with the San Diego area, which would be her home for the rest of her life. Gemma enjoyed traveling and careers in both banking and as a home daycare provider. She was beloved by the many children she cared for. They were Gem’s Gems, and she followed the life paths of her alumni Gems with keen interest. She also cared for her mother for many years and creatively included “Oma” in her daycare activities. Gemma was a devoted mother and is survived by her son Chad Engle and daughter Leah Lyons. Additional survivors include her step-daughter Michelle, grandchildren Erina, Aurora and Max, five siblings, five nieces and nephews, and numerous European cousins. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, December 9th at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Boulevard, La Mesa, California, 91941. Interment will be at Greenwood Memorial Park, 4300 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 9213. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made towards a scholarship fund established for Gemma’s daughter, Leah. Donations should be written out to ‘Leah Lyons’ via Chase Bank Branch Manager, 1790 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92021.