Helen Yvonne Lyon

October 4, 1936 – June 17, 2026

Helen Yvonne Lyon, lovingly known to generations of family and friends as “Aunt Von,” passed away peacefully at the age of 89 at River Run Healthcare in Franklin Furnace, Ohio, on June 17, 2026 where she had been a resident for the last year. Our family cannot express enough gratitude for the compassion, care, and love the nurses and staff showed her each day—they are truly angels on earth.

Born on October 4, 1936, in South Portsmouth, Aunt Von entered the world far earlier than expected, arriving nearly ten weeks premature at home with little hope for survival. In a story she loved to tell throughout her life, she would laugh about being placed in a box beside the coal stove with a chicken lamp shining on her while being fed canned Carnation milk. In true Aunt Von fashion, she fought her way through the odds from the very beginning—a toughness and determination that would define her entire life.

She spent her early childhood on her grandparents’ Cooper family farm, years she always remembered fondly and spoke about often. As a teenager, Aunt Von moved to Texas, where she attended college before eventually returning home to settle in Portsmouth, where she lived for more than sixty years.

To know Aunt Von was to know she never did anything halfway. She had a larger-than-life personality, strong opinions, and a style all her own. Growing up, none of us can remember ever seeing her without perfectly styled hair, full makeup, fashionable clothes, matching heels, and enough jewelry to make a statement. Shen loved all things girly and glamorous, and if QVC or HSN had

something sparkly, there was a good chance Aunt Von owned it—and probably bought one for you, too. She always wanted the people she loved to have something “dressy” to wear. She also never showed up empty-handed. Sometimes it was jewelry for the girls; other times, it was her favorite croissant doughnuts from Sent from Heaven Bakery in New Boston, which she affectionately called “big and uglies.” These small gestures were simply how she showed love.

While her stubbornness and sarcasm were legendary, those closest to her understood that beneath the blunt honesty was a deep love and fierce loyalty. She loved her family endlessly and spoke of them proudly to everyone she met.

Two chapters of Aunt Von’s life that she often spoke about were her years helping run Henry’s Bar in Portsmouth with her former husband, Paul, and the meaningful work she later did as Director of the Scioto County Domestic Violence Department. Though she often said owning the bar was hard work, she cherished the people and friendships that came from it. Her work helping

women and children escape abusive situations became one of the most important parts of her life. Even in recent years, strangers would approach her in stores or restaurants to say, “You helped me and my kids. I couldn’t have done it without you.” Those moments meant the world to her.

Her compassion extended beyond people. Aunt Von had a lifelong love for animals, especially cats. Though no one could ever get a straight answer about exactly how many she had over the years, one thing was certain—she never turned away a hungry animal.

Aunt Von is preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Iva Fultz, as well as her siblings Nettie Nichols, Charlotte Nichols, Romona Jordan, Delbert Fultz Jr., Lindsay Fultz, and Darrell Fultz.

She leaves behind five generations of nieces and nephews who loved her deeply and will forever carry her stories, humor, honesty, and love with them.

Visitation and funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Portsmouth Apostolic Church, located at 1209 Younge Street, Portsmouth, Ohio, with visitation starting at noon and the service to follow at 1:00 p.m.

Burial will follow at Mount Zion Cemetery in South Shore,Kentucky.

Though the world may feel quieter without Aunt Von in it, those who knew her will never forget the sparkle, strength, humor, and unmistakable presence she brought everywhere she went.